In my previous career, I attended a lot of groundbreaking and ribbon cutting ceremonies. What I found in those momentous events was an abundance of speeches, veggie trays, and watered down fruit punch, yet the hosting parties anticipated the great reveal of what could be and what something will become. However, rarely do we find people celebrating the murky middle, the time in between the pouring of the foundation and the unveiling of a completed project. For most of the project, these people just wait.
Currently, I find myself in a similar situation: I’m waiting.
Waiting for the birth of our son. Waiting for the completion of a total loss accident claim with our car insurance company. Waiting for answers to big career questions that will mean whether or not we move. Waiting for God to act in pretty sizable ways.
As I wait, I cannot help but think about the way Jesus must have felt as he waited. Waited in a womb for 9 months. Waited to walk. Waited to potty train. Waited to take up the family trade of carpentry. Waited for 30 years to start his public ministry. Waited through a trial, execution, and burial all while knowing who he was and that he will be seated at the right hand of the Father.
During this season, I take comfort in the words of Psalm 40,
I waited and waited and waited for God.
At last he looked; finally he listened…
Soften up, God, and intervene;
hurry and get me some help,
So those who are trying to kidnap my soul
will be embarrassed and lose face,
So anyone who gets a kick out of making me miserable
will be heckled and disgraced,
So those who pray for my ruin
will be booed and jeered without mercy.
But all who are hunting for you—
oh, let them sing and be happy.
Let those who know what you’re all about
tell the world you’re great and not quitting.
And me? I’m a mess. I’m nothing and have nothing:
make something of me.
You can do it; you’ve got what it takes—
but God, don’t put it off.
For me, this is how I feel while in this season of waiting: I sit on the edge of my seat, waiting for God to act, waiting for him to show up and intervene. But does that always happen? Is there an unexpected benefit to waiting on God? Let me tell you about that in my next post.
What are you waiting on?
