For Those Who Wait

As I was mulling over the notion of "waiting," I was drawn to two specific phrases I'm sure we've all heard throughout the years.  One of which obviously promotes waiting; whereas, the other promotes action.

"Good things comes to those who wait."

and

"What are you waiting for?"

Somewhat ironic, right?  Now personally, my mind is drawn to two situations, in which these phrases would be used.  For, "Good things come to those who wait," I envision a little girl walking through an aisle of Barbies.  Christmas is coming soon, so her sweet mommy is hesitant to make any purchases in front of her daughter, not wanting to spoil any surprises.

As the little girl picked up one of the 500 Barbies on the wall, she let out a small gasp and said, "Mommy, look at her.  She's beautiful..."

"Oh she is!  Just like you!"

"But mommy, she's a princess!!!!"

"She may be a princess, but who is my little princess?"

The little girl giggled and smiled, "Meeeeeeeeeee!!!!"

"Mommy, do you think we could take her home with us?!"

"Not today, honey, but you know what they say, 'Good things come to those who wait!'"

Now the other situation is probably well-known to many women who possess deep affinities for romantic comedies.  I am one such individual, so I know this predictable 'predicament' like the back of my hand.  Picture this: Boy meets girl.  They fall in love.  Some conflict tears there relationship to shreds.  All hope seems to be lost.  But suddenly, over a cup of cheap coffee with a old buddy, he realizes she's the one for him.  Buddy shakes his head and asks, "So, what are you waiting for ...?"

We've seen it many times...

So perhaps each phrase is correct but simply appropriate for different situations.  Whatever the case may be, however, "waiting" is very difficult for many individuals in our society.  This is probably due to a multitude of factors, but I would venture to say technology is undoubtedly one such factor.  The internet has made a huge magnitude of information available to virtually anyone within seconds.  So now, when your connection is bad, for example, waiting is so irritating.  Because we know the information could be given to us in seconds, we think waiting for it is ludicrous.

Waiting is necessary and par for the course in many areas of life, specifically in faith.  As believers, we know the power of God.  We know His wisdom, power, mercy, love, and grace are far beyond are comprehension.  We know the truth that He provides for EVERY, single one of our needs.  So when He doesn't respond immediately to our prayers, we're confused and often irritated.

Have your prayers ever looked like this?

"Lord, I know you could fix this in seconds, so why aren't you?"

"Father, I have been waiting so patiently.  Have you forgotten about me?  I know the truth of your provision and constant hand in my life, but I'm having a hard time believing it."

"Precious Lord, why aren't you healing him?  Your power is beyond my comprehension.  You've parted seas, brought the dead back from life.  I've been praying, begging for weeks, months, years.  I'm trying to be so patient, but I'm ready for you to make your move.  Please, Lord."

"Jesus, I know Rome wasn't built in a day.  But could you just show me a little light at the end of the tunnel?"

Perhaps one of the most common concepts of waiting for women is waiting for our future husbands.  Not in the sense of waiting to have sex until marriage, even though I am a full proponent of sexual and emotional purity, but in the sense of simply waiting to meet him, or waiting to know him.

As individuals we are created for community.  We are created with specific desires, God-given desires that were placed on our hearts to help us shape the futures of our lives.  For women who desire a holy, Christ-centered marriage with the man of their dreams, it can occasionally be difficult to wait patiently for that.  I would venture to say many of us can identify with that sentiment.  Obviously different seasons in our lives bring different sentiments -- some are filled with more contentment than others.  But in those days where contentment is difficult to find, it is easy to grow weary in waiting for the things in which we most desire.  If you've ever felt weary in waiting, take heart in this truth: you're completely normal.

As Christian women, we are taught that men are to pursue us, which in my opinion is completely true.  Marriage should be the closest image of God's relentless pursuit of our hearts that we will ever see on this side of heaven, and we are only to date men who we could possibly see ourselves marrying.  Therefore, we are to date men whose hearts are fashioned after that of God.  He should pursue your heart like Jesus does.  "Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever." -Psalm 23:6

Jesus constantly knocks at the door of our heart, unwilling to move until we answer Him.  He waits on us, because He adores us.  He is ENTHRALLED by our beauty, even when we don't feel beautiful at all.  Jesus is ALWAYS at the door of our heart, and HE is to be our ultimate hope.  That is why we will not falter amidst slight sentiments of discontentment, because our hope is not in whether or not Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John will ask us on a date but in the Lord!

This is complete truth.  But I think that occasionally we are deceived into believing that waiting is equivalent with inaction.  But waiting is a verb.  We can be active while waiting -- in pursuing the Lord, in following our dreams, in building relationships.

Also, occasionally we are deceived into believing that we are to wait for the perfect man, the one who will fulfill our needs.  That man is Jesus.  It doesn't matter what man you date, he will never be perfect.  He will never fully satisfy you.  Similarly, we are not perfect and will never fully satisfy our future husbands, as well.  That is the reality, but the beauty of it!

May we not view waiting as a punishment or as a challenge but as an opportunity to grow in patience, in love, in joy, and in understanding.  May we use waiting as an opportunity to learn about ourselves and more about the character of God -- that no matter what does or doesn't happen in our lifetimes, NOTHING can separate us from the LOVE of Christ!

"Let all that I am wait quietly before the Lord, for my hope is in Him.  He is my rock and my salvation, my fortress from where I will not be shaken.  My victory and honor come from Him alone.  He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.  O my people, trust in him at all times.  Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." -Psalm 62:5-8