Knowing that something good is coming is not enough, is it? We want it now. I have heard the longest 30 seconds in your life it either in front of the microwave or the red traffic light. Kids get antsy on cat trips – “Are we there yet?” Men tap their feet and pace for the three minutes it takes their wives to finish getting ready, even though they are not close to being late. Employees watch the clock that slows to a snail’s pace between 3:30 and 5:00 p.m. A well deserved vacation which is a week away seems to be months away.
How often do we read that word “WAIT” in Bible passages? Here are just a few of many –
But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait
for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:25
After he had risen from the dead, Jesus ascended into Heaven. But before He went to be with the Father in glory, he told his disciples to “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” Acts 1:4b They had to wait for the Holy Spirit to come and empower them. Why? Why does God so often make us wait?
Perhaps it is to test our patience. The longer we wait for things, the more anxious we seem to get, right? Human nature. But those that wait upon the Lord, truly trusting in Him and His timing feel a peace, a satisfaction, a joy in that limbo time. They are so sure God’s ways and timing are perfect, they don’t mind the wait. It is called faith. We don’t know why the disciples had to wait for the Holy Spirit to indwell in them. I don’t know why God makes me wait. But I do know if I jump the gun and try to usher in His blessings, everything goes awry. How often do we end up in a mess and then wonder, “Why me, God?”
Perhaps it is because He is preparing us, or preparing something for us. Things have to come to fruition. Fruit has to ripen. Seeds have to sprout. It is no coincidence that our faith and spiritual gifts are referred to as these.
Perhaps the timing is off. If we received it now, we’d not recognize it as being from God, but somehow figured it was our own doing.
When asked to wait too long, aren’t we like the antsy kids in the car, the impatient clock-watching employee, or the man jiggling the change in his pocket while his wife checks on the kids one more time, makes sure the babysitter has the emergency numbers and applies her lipstick? We roll our eyes, pace and huff, wanting “it” to hurry up and be “now”. Human nature, yes. Human nature that God wants to transform into a deeper faith.
