We live in a world of instant gratification. It seems as if we cannot wait for anything. I am so guilty of deciding I want something and then getting it without much thought at all. Instant gratification has become so ingrained in our culture that we often get stares of unbelief when we tell someone, “Yeah, I’m going to wait to upgrade my phone,” or “I decided to wait another year before buying a new car.” 

It isn’t just related to material things. Have you ever been the first one in a line of cars stopped at a red traffic light? For the love of Pete, you better have your foot on the gas and ready to go as soon as the light changes to green or someone behind you will make his/her impatience known by honking at you. Even my four-year old grandson, sitting in his car seat in the back seat of the car says, “Go Mimi,” as soon as the light is green. Never mind there are three cars ahead of me. I guess I’m just supposed to plow over them. 

Waiting seems to have been bred out of us. It is simply no longer a part of our DNA. 

As disciples of Christ, one would think we would be somewhat immune to the worldly view of waiting, especially as it pertains to waiting on the Lord. One would be wrong. Well, at least in my case, one would be wrong. I mean, maybe all the other followers of Jesus in the world have overcome this particular issue. I have not. 

The Bible is full of Scripture about waiting on the Lord. It leads me to think maybe I am not the only one who prays, “WHEN, Lord,” “Take away this pain NOW, Lord,” or “WHEN are you going to answer, Lord!” 

The Lord recently took me through a season of waiting. More accurately, he dragged me kicking and screaming through a season of waiting. Six months ago, I became seriously ill. The illness resulted in a major emergency surgery followed by a lengthy recover, another surgery, and now, at least a year before I am fully recovered. I am not happy! I want to be well NOW – not a year from now.  

I have fumed, I have cried, I have pouted, and I have had more than my share of pity parties. In the end, I have no choice but to wait. And it is in this waiting, I am seeing God reveal Himself to me and giving me a glimpse of the purpose He has planned for me. 

In those first few weeks after my initial surgery, not only was I physically unable to care for all my own needs, but I seemed to be in somewhat of a “spiritual coma.” I was unable to do my daily routine of Bible study, devotions, scripture reading and prayer. Instead, all I could do was either lay in bed or sit in a chair unable to even form the words of a prayer in my mind. Paul writes about this in Romans, Chapter 8. In part, he writes about our present suffering and our future glory, and in verse 26 he says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” I have no doubt the Spirit was interceding on my behalf during those early days when I was unable to form prayers and could only wait. 

So, as I continue to wait on the Lord, I am finding He is revealing more of his plan and purpose, and I am learning to listen to him more closely every day, act upon what he is asking me to do, and trust in His promises. 

Advent is a season of expectation and waiting. We celebrate the birth of Christ. In celebrating His birth, we should also remember He will come again. It has been approximately 2000 year since Jesus’ birth, ministry, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. He promised He would return, and as disciples, we stand on that promise.  

What’s in the waiting? For me, I’m finding a deeper, richer, more intimate relationship with Jesus, a better knowledge of myself, and renewal. 

What’s In Your Waiting? 

Scripture Regarding Waiting: 

Lamentations 3:25 

Psalm 27:14 

Isaiah 40:31 

Psalm 130:5-6 

James 5:7