God's Waiting Room

While on one of my beloved photo road trips, I came across this barber shop.  The whole place was a museum of sorts dating back to the early 1970s.  Joe, the proprietor, was pleased to share the history of the place with me.  I doubt anything has changed inside those walls in over 40+ years, including this waiting area. You know I’m going somewhere with this, right?  God planted the word, “wait“, in my meditation garden, so I decided to dig around a bit.   I discovered that wait is used quite liberally ( 223 times) in scripture, both old and new testaments. Here are a two examples: “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14. “But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.” Romans 8:25. I have a love/hate relationship with these verses, because waiting is not my strong suit.

We’ve all had earthly waiting room experiences.  There are the anxious/fearful moments when we wait for medical test results. Exhilarating waits for a new grandchild to be born; anticipating waits for an airplane to arrive and fly you to Europe, or nervous waits to receive your driver’s license. Waits can be boring, scary, nerve-wracking or joyful, it all depends on what we’re waiting for.   Everyday is a waiting room experience. In our Christian lives we often wonder why we must wait , especially after we‘ve prayed about it.

OK, so what‘s with this waiting thing?  As I see it from my own life, and from the lives of biblical “waiters“, God has his reasons for waiting, and, no, exasperation is not one of them, but developing and preparing us are.  Remember Abraham and Sarah? God had promised them a child, and future generations through that child, but they had to wait. They were patient at first, but later jump started God’s perfect plan with their own, and we all know how that worked.

As difficult as it is, waiting develops patience, trust and a deeper understanding of God.  So, what should we be doing while we wait?  Be active, not passive. Do something with the time, other than thumb twiddling; read his book, encourage others waiting with you, keep busy working.  Look ahead and not around you; prepare for the future, after you leave the waiting room.   Let’s face it, waiting is a part of our life in Christ, get used to it and make it productive…you will be rewarded!   “…but they who wait for 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. Teach me Lord to wait!