On Waiting

As you might imagine, my heart is burdened for those who are single, barren, unemployed, disabled, discouraged. In a world frantic & rushing, decorated in a wide range of accessories of achievement and self-sufficiency, my heart is burdened for those who wait.

In the midst of innocuous banter regarding street traffic, I am made aware of the vast chasm dividing those who race to their destination unhindered and those who are stopped at each intersection by solid red. Those made to wait steep in restless rage, frustration; they are overwhelmed by seeming injustice. They hear the ticking clock and sense the impending despair of being left behind. "How will I catch up?," they quake. "At this rate how will I ever get there?," they fret. And in those who wait quietly, unobtrusively, lament wells up from the depths, "Have I been forgotten?" 

We are inept at waiting without strain or struggle. Each of us has a will, a way, dreams, and plans we'd like to see realized promptly, fluidly. In our hearts we are stubborn & greedy.  As a community we disdain delay, racing through yellow lights shouting victoriously at our own advancement, sneering at the fools made to wait. In our fellowship we are selfish & superficial. 

At the core of our struggle with waiting is a seed of falsehood. We build our identity on a culturally-accepted progression of achievement and acquisition. We believe that faster is better, less is less, delay is a symptom of apathy or rebellion. In some circles we even believe that the hampered life signals punishment, lack of blessing. 

For the Waiting, the implication of our cultural distortion is severe, and my heart is heavy. But grace finds and reminds me of a truth mighty enough to free us from isolation and heartache. My burden is that the single, barren, unemployed, disabled, and discouraged would know this truth: 

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.  

He [or She] will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. 

It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. 

It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. 

 Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)

You who wait on the Lord because you trust him and his traffic direction, you are blessed. 

You who wait are sturdy, connected securely to your life source, wanting for nothing. 

You who wait don't need to be afraid because you are well-watered and will not wither away in the stillness. 

You who wait need not worry about delay because even in the suspension you abound in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. 

photo by Chris Hoover

You who wait on the Lord are fruitful [productive, effective, abounding, blooming, rich, worthwhile], not because of your own will or strength, but because of His will and power. 

You who wait and heed and surrender are protected under His wing and shaped by His hand. You are not forgotten. You are not defective, beyond hope, or running out of time. You are loved and will serve as a shining testament to His grace. 

You who wait will not be more valuable or valid once you find a spouse, become a parent, secure employment, or receive healing. You are valuable and productive now because you are His. 

You who wait are not invisible. You are the one waiting patiently for your future spouse, rooting yourself in Christ and letting him use you now, unshaken in the perfection of His timing for you. You are the woman without children of your own who goes boldly to the little ones in need-- caring, protecting, giving. You are the man without children of your own who boldly loves his God and his wife, standing up as intercessor for your family, present and future. You are unemployed, seeking the Lord for your life's purpose and work, standing confidently in who you are apart from title or salary. You are the caregiver of one helpless and needy, limited in your social circle and affluence, but rich in love and faithfulness. You are helpless and disabled, quietly dependent and confident in those brought to care for you. You decide each day, as you come upon another stoplight, to be glad because today has been made by the Lord. 

Waiting is not for the weak, my friends. Those who wait will not be disappointed or ashamed. Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Those who trust in Him are blessed and never fail to bear fruit. My burden for you (and me) who wait is that we would remember the truth and learn to see the sculpting and fruit in those apparently inactive, stilled. For us who wait, we need to stay connected to the stream, keep standing firm in the truth and remain faithful in prayer, in our utter dependence. 

For you who wait and pray for us, ask to see the fruit of the contrite spirit. Encourage with truth, not with doubt or fear. As one who has been waiting and seemingly idle for a long stretch, I want you to know how much I love and appreciate your prayers and encouragement. I was reminded not long ago to pray for those praying for us because as we continue to live suspended, your faith is tested, too, and you need His strength to continue supporting us. What's beautiful about you is that by your faith for us, you too, become one who waits and trusts...and one who is gifted with blessing and fruit.  

Whether you're at a red light or looking back at it in your rearview, be alert because you might be in the perfect position to witness a miracle.