Have you ever felt that life is just a waiting game? When I reflect on my life, I can conclude that I have spent most of it waiting. Waiting on birthdays or vacations. Waiting for a husband. Waiting to become a mother. Waiting for God to reveal His purpose for my life. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. I have truly come to learn that life does not consist of “possible” waiting, but “perpetual” waiting. We are even told constantly throughout scripture to “wait on the Lord”.
At times, the waiting is exciting and exhilarating. Most people can reflect on moments in life that were full of thrilling anticipation. And throughout life, even in the little things, we can feel joy and elation while waiting for something. However, many of us can also relate to the brokenness, heartache, and desperation that can accompany waiting. My husband, Tim, and I got married fairly young, and we always knew we wanted a family. Within the first year of marriage, we decided we were ready for God to bless us with children. (When I look back on it now, I can’t help but smile. It’s so very human of us to let God know we are “ready” for something.) We waited, and waited, and waited. After a year of waiting, praying, and pleading with the Lord, we went to the doctor, only to be told that it was very unlikely we would ever conceive a child of our own. We were absolutely shattered. It’s hard to even articulate the amount of pain and sorrow we experienced. BUT GOD! While in the middle of an adoption process, God answered our cries, and we were blessed with our son Tytus. Much to the doctor’s surprise, we not only had one miracle baby, but our sweet Eden came along two years later. I would love to say that while I waited on the Lord during this time I was always vigilant in prayer and consistently trusted His promises. But that would be a lie. I doubted Him; I struggled with anger and jealousy of others; I shed many, many tears.
It wasn’t until recently that I truly started to reflect on what I should be doing in the waiting. Christ gives us the ultimate example in scripture as he waited on his crucifixion at Calvary. What did Jesus do as he awaited his death? He prayed! He set the ultimate example for us.
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” –Matthew 26:36-39
Jesus was awaiting the worst possible death anyone can imagine. I learn from this text that while waiting, especially in trials, I must pray and communicate with God about it. It also shows me that it is ok to plead with God, and to implore Him to rescue and relieve me from my situation. I think sometimes we must remind ourselves that God does NOT delight in our sorrows. He is a “Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” and “he comforts us in all our troubles” (1 Cor. 1:3-4). He is also a God that desires relationship with us. I have learned that I can’t be afraid to talk to him and pour my heart to him while I wait on Him to reveal His purpose in my life.
While prayer is essential to surviving the waiting periods of life, remembering His faithfulness and presence is just as important. God is in the waiting. He doesn’t send us off on our own to experience excruciating pain and loneliness. He also doesn’t want our waiting to be passive. While in times of waiting, He desires us to be active, growing, and trusting.
Maybe you find yourself in a season of waiting. Even as a church, we are waiting on God to provide a building. As cliche as it sounds, truly the greatest thing we can do is PRAY! Pray that God would provide for that need. Or as we read about Jesus, pray that God would strip away something we are dreading. Be open and honest with God. Invite Him into the struggle, and share your heart with the only one who can truly understand and bring comfort. And remember that waiting should just be our situation–not our mindset. Put away the urge to wait passively, and get busy on what God has for you now! Waiting can be difficult, but if we allow it, it can teach us, mold us, and create something brand new within our lives. Trust Him…even in the waiting!
