In a post-modern world, waiting is
something that is often unfamiliar to us as we become impatient at the traffic
lights, especially when they are red and we even opt to use ready meals as
opposed to enjoying the long process of preparing a meal. It becomes clear when
we study how we operate in the 21st Century the trait of patience and
waiting appears to be scarce.
Yet how do we wait on God? Clearly as Psalm 27
uses the phrase ‘wait on the Lord’ twice,
in many ways it shows that when we wait on God in regards to understanding his
will over our lives we must wait, and then wait some more. In those times when
faith seems dry and we question whether God will breakthrough and use us for
his glory, it is then when God calls us to wait on him even more. Trusting in
God is one of the most important aspects of our Christian journey, not just trusting
that He will do what we ask, but do the ‘immeasurably
more’ (Ephesians 3:20). From my own experiences God shows up when we least
expect and within ways that we wouldn’t dream of, but this is what our God is
like. Of course He has the power to act upon our requests straight away but I
believe that He chooses not to for a specific reason: the development of love.
There is an amazing analogy that I
believe is attributed to the philosopher Peter Vardy about a king and his two
sons, one of whom he loves very much. Every day the sons are granted time to
pay homage to the king. When the least loved son comes before him, the gift is
taken off the son at the door and the king does not grant his son the time to
see him. Yet when the most beloved enters the room, the king makes excuses for
the son to stay, so that their relationship grows even stronger. This in many
ways is almost what we should do when we don’t know what to do in regards to
our finances, relationships, jobs, future plans etc. Just come before God
offering our gift of praise, because it is in that moment where God inhabits
the worshipper, the waiting is broken. As Woodrow Wilson said ‘All things come to him who waits –
provided he knows what he is waiting for.’
This week I
pray that you will plug yourself back into exactly what we are waiting for, not
just for breakthrough, but for God’s will to be done on earth and the
establishment of his kingdom. And when we face the question of what can I
practically do whilst I wait on God, the answer is to wait some more, whilst
all the time praising God for the amazing promises we know. The author of
Isaiah puts it better than I could ever put into words that
‘Those
who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They
will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow
weary, they will walk and not be faint.’ (Isaiah 40:31)
In the
waiting, the promise is that through all the pain and the silence God will
reward our waiting, rewards that go far beyond our understanding. In the
waiting we are called to continue our praise to the king of kings, trusting
that God will reveal His true and perfect plan over our lives. Amen.
Jack Driver is Danny Driver’s 18 year old younger
brother, who is due to study Theology at St Aidan's College, Durham this
September. Just like his brother (our last guest blogger contributor) he also enjoys playing
and watching sport, whilst also loving to engage in some seriously theological and/or
philosophical debates. Jack is also going to be a regular contributor to
the blog as he journeys through university life, so expect more of his
incredible insights!
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