A lot of our lives revolve around
waiting. Waiting can be a vicious game. If we don’t know how to wait
expectantly, we can be easily frustrated. When we learn to wait with a good
attitude God will vindicate us and make sure that our waiting was worthwhile.
Like most of you, I’m not good at
waiting. Waiting is like asking for a well done steak. Food always motivates
me! If you ask for a well done steak and get a medium or medium rare it wouldn’t
be what you exactly wanted. When you
understand God is orchestrating your life, it will be easier to wait. God knows
what you need, when you need and how to get it to you. So, don’t wait
impatiently but rather wait expectantly knowing that in due time God will bring
your expectation to pass.
Recently, my kids got some kittens.
They are playful, cute and all that. I’m new to having pets around the house.
Not my choice but they bring a lot of joy to my kids. One of the things I love about
these kittens is they know how to wait expectantly. They love milk. Every time
someone opens the fridge they come charging. Then they sit there with a pitiful
face waiting expectantly to get some milk. Often they’ve tricked me into giving
them more milk than I should. I’m not suggesting that you try to manipulate God
or go to Him only when you need something. God
is not moved by needs. He is moved by our faith! But there’s a lesson we can
learn and that is to wait for God with expectancy.
In the office, when you make cold
calls, don’t just go through the motion thinking, “I’ve to make another sixty calls before I can get a yes.” You’re not
depending on the law of probability; you’re waiting expectantly. When you feel
sick on your body, don’t just wait to take that pill or go to the hospital.
Wait expectantly for God to heal you. His
Word should be the first insurance we claim. If you’re having trouble with
your boss at work, don’t come home to your family all worked up. Instead, wait
expectantly for God to move your boss along or even better – you take his/her
place! When you wait patiently on God,
anything is possible.
Our culture has conditioned us to be
impatient. This can often rob us of the great future God is weaving for us. There
is a plenty of examples in the Bible that should remind us of the benefit of
waiting with expectancy. Abraham had to wait 25 years for his promised son Isaac.
Joseph had to wait for 13 years to go from pit to palace. David had to wait for
over 20 years to reign as a king. Even
our Lord had to wait for three days and nights before He could have been
resurrected. I’m not suggesting these long periods of wait but our attitude
should be waiting with expectancy.
Most Christians struggle while waiting
because that’s where faith is tested. It is not enough to be waiting. When we
wait, we must believe God is changing things for better. Waiting expectantly
means we take out our umbrella while we’re praying for rain.
One thing we can do while we’re
waiting is to keep doing what we know is right. It is easy to get complacent
and weary while we’re waiting for our breakthrough. That is what happened to
the children of Israel on their way to the Promised Land. They forgot the
goodness of God that delivered them and began to murmur and complain. That
attitude held them back for forty years! Don’t let that be you. A good way to
wait is to expect things to turn around any moment as did Paul and Silas in the
prison. How would you act if I told you that your miracle is going to happen at
2:00 P.M. on Saturday, four months from now? Would you be frustrated,
questioning God and people every day until then? No. You’ll have peace and a quiet
confidence that it is going to happen. When you have waited another day without
results, instead of getting all sour and discouraged, say to yourself, “I’m one day closer to my victory.” This
will keep you going with the right attitude. Another thing you can remember
while you wait is to enjoy life in the meantime. Don’t put your life on hold
just because you’re waiting in one area of your life to catch up. Appreciate
the life you have now. Count your blessings in other areas. Be a blessing to
someone else. When you’re busy helping others, time will go much faster and
before you know it your waiting will be over with your prayers answered.
Friend, wait expectantly. God is working. You’ll have what you’ve been waiting
for. Now give Him some praise by faith. I’m praying for you!
“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient
as you wait for the Lord's return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for
the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable
harvest to ripen” (James 5:7 NLT).
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