The Waiting Game

The Waiting Game

Blessed are those who wait.

Isaiah 30:18

The Amish look favorably on someone who is living a modest and simple life. We may gaze with approval on someone with a new home, but the Amish would appreciate someone with a more modest existence. They approve of items that are well used. They don’t rush to spend money. They are accustomed to waiting.

We often think of waiting as a bad thing. We dislike waiting rooms and get frustrated when we have to wait in line. But the ability to wait is a virtue. In fact, we’d do well to add more waiting to our lives: wait to get a pair of new shoes. Wait before you trade in your old car for a new one. Wait to take the vacation you’ve been wanting, and explore your own town first. Wait to buy more food until you’ve used up the food you have stored in your pantry and freezer. Wait before you purchase a new house.

Waiting isn’t easy, and it’s not passive. Waiting takes preparation.

How do you wait? Wait in prayer. Wait with expectation. Wait in faith that the Lord sees your need and can bring anyone to help provide. Isaiah 30:18 says, “The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.” Waiting is a two-way street. The Lord is waiting for us to come to Him, and He asks that we wait for His help.

Waiting is also a matter of attention. Are you willing to turn your attention away from the “thing” or “action” you desire and instead turn your desire to God? If you do, you will be blessed, not because of what God will provide but because you will be discovering Him in your increasingly modest and simple life.

Dear heavenly Father, help me to wait on You. Help me to wait for You. Help me to look to You instead of to things.