If all of us could write a book about our lives, there would be many many chapters that we would just want to skip through.
Why?
Some of them would be trivial, some ordinary- the daily “khitter-pitter”, others just too ugly to behold all over again- and yet every chapter, every extract, every statement has made up the story of our life.
Not one can be ignored, much less taken lightly.
The Wait is one such chapter that runs indefinitely, intermittently, tormenting the impatient, testing the patient, exposing the core of every human desire- the deepest fears, the highest ambitions- to the mercy of the untameable “time”.
For the Ones Who Hate the Wait!
I loathe waiting. Not because I lack self-control or am undisciplined but because I “think I already know” what lies on the other side of the Wait.
So if you hate to wait, I understand you, most ardently.
Maybe you have other reasons for not wanting to wait- but what I have perceived from my own experience is no matter what triggers the impatience, somewhere deep down it is our own logic that’s warring against the need to wait.
“Why should I wait when I already know the answer?” is what my brain usually screams to my heart.
There is some pride in that statement, a pride that has brought me to the brink of ruin so many times. I have learned from the school of hard knocks how my impulses can “delay” God’s plans for my life.
Nonetheless, every time I need a reminder of how I wasn’t the only one who took things into her hands- I look to our father of faith- Abraham.
Listening to the God of Details
Just about a week back I was talking to a sister who was asking me about my skin-care routine ( and I was thinking “kya din aagaye hai 😅).
I am the last person you go to for skin-care advice cause I am literally disinterested. I care less about makeup and much less about what goes after what- kudos to all my sisters who have a proper regimen.
It’s not that it is overhyped- we all need some discipline in all areas of life and having a routine just makes things easier.
So while I was internally amused, I could empathize with that sister cause she was having these breakouts and acne, something that I had also struggled with in the past.
But interestingly, her question reminded me of how I had changed my regimen in the first place!
Before, I was listening to all these specialists on what our skin needs (hats off to their knowledge) but after a dozen products that worsened my acne scars- I came across a sermon by Pastor Prince wherein he specifically emphasized how praying in tongues can align our spirits with the Holy Spirit, making us more perceptive to exactly what we need spiritually, emotionally and physically.
Laugh all you want, but the current set of products I am using, I bought after earnest prayer and meditation!
The same God who counts the very hair on our heads (Luke 12:7) knows exactly what our skin needs! So, should this be a surprise then?
You are taking things to a spiritual extreme, Sany!
No, I am not. Details matter.
Look what Abraham did when God “seemingly forgot” to mention in Genesis 15 that the son of the promise would be borne out of his wife Sarah’s womb.
The “misunderstood instructions” caused a delay of 13 years before God revisited Abraham, changed his and his wife’s names, and stated in clear terms that even though they were 100 and 90 years of age, respectively, the son of the promise “Isaac” would be borne by Sarah! (Genesis 17:21)
Our God is the God of details! And it is the details that prevent delays because they point us exactly where we are meant to be and do what we are supposed to do- getting us to the right place with the right people and at the right time!
Because the Race is Not to the Swift…
When I was 10, I had goals.
When I was 20, I had ambitions.
And now as I near the 30-year mark, I have His visions.
It’s interesting how the world operates: “Just do it. Carpe Diem. Seize the Day!”
But God’s kingdom works on a different timeline. It operates by the “unforced rhythms of grace” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Jesus was the most “un-hurried” soul that walked on the planet Earth. I love this instance where a troubled synagogue leader, Jairus, asks Him to come and heal his dying daughter and He makes His way, ever so calmly, amidst the maddening crowd.
What’s more, He even takes a break, turns around, and investigates who touched Him (Luke 8:43-48), encouraging a woman who had been healed from 12 years of blood flow just by touching His garment!
Hallelujah!
Jesus always had time for the dejected, the unwanted, and the brokenhearted.
And He was always at the right place, at the right time (yea, even when he arrived 4 days late to resurrect his best friend Lazarus) (John 11:17)
Demons fleed, storms died out, death gave up its claimed ones- in His presence.
Such is our Jesus. And He is our hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)
But What If I Have Waited Too Long?
Honestly, if you think so, chances are you haven’t waited enough. At least not long enough to develop the character needed to handle the next set of instructions.
How do you know this, Sany?
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
God never wastes anyone’s time. And waiting on Him never drains anyone out.
While I write this, I have been waiting on the Lord for an answer, a direction and to be honest, I started getting weary yesterday morning…until I shared my struggles with two of my beloved sisters in Christ (and that’s why you need to choose your friends wisely).
We have been growing up in a culture of instant gratification and waiting isn’t a forte for many.
But there is protection in His plans, provision in His promises.
If we set out to do things on our own, we will have to bear the cost.
But when we are still, He fights for us and shows us His salvation (Yeshua) [Exodus 14:13-14]
May we choose to stand still and wait on Him today!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
