Waiting. My.very.favorite.thing.to.do
or not.
We've all been there. Waiting for answers from the doctor, waiting for our insurance to approve a referral, waiting for that special someone to propose, waiting for our spouse to come home from far away lands, waiting to know if we got the job, waiting for our kids to move out. eh hem. You get the point.
I've been doing a lot of waiting in recent days, and in all honesty - I am ALWAYS waiting for something. Whenever the circumstance of having to wait arises my first response is an audible sigh of impatience and my toe starts tapping.
I had an "AHA" moment today. Another one of those times where a commonly used scripture moves (in my mind) from the 'placation' category to the 'THAT'S God's plan and it is good' category.
Today that scripture is Isaiah 40:31:
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary. (NASB)
The Message Paraphrase begins its emphasis on this verse
in verse 27
Isaiah 40:27-31
Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind.
Hm. Why would you ever complain? Can I tell you that I am not now, suddenly happy to be waiting for the things which I am waiting for (With the exception of GGG's wedding cause the anticipation of that absolutely wonderful event is like electricty! - but it sure wasn't fun waiting for the proposal. just sayin.) However I am purposing today, this moment that I will worship IN the waiting because I know that God is good and His timeline, His plans, His will are perfect. He can and does do far better than I can ask or imagine, and more to the point - He can and does do far better than I can do myself. "Knowing this, S4J - why would you ever complain?" I will work to rejoice when God says, "Wait."
And to that end, I am posting this video of a song that makes the idea of waiting feel good and right - and I am making a 'waiting' playlist on my ipod. Another thing I know about God is that He doesn't leave us without tools to do the things He asks us to do. I challenge you today to find as many uplifting and/or godly songs about waiting and bind them together in a way that will see you through and encourage you in the waiting.
In fact, leave the titles in the comments so I can add them to My playlist too!
Blessings on your day,
5 comments:
"Dear Friend" by Charlie Peacock. About waiting for Jesus' return, but also a reminder that "He is not slow in keeping His promises. As some understand slowness to be". Love it. This is the song that hooked me on Christian music, but that is a story for another day.
I will work to rejoice when God says, "Wait."
oh, girl... this is a beautiful challenge.
and horrid, because sadly, as He often does... I feel God's prodding me to accept the same challenge.
pft.
;) I love that you make me a better person.
His Girl sent me to you. We are in the midst of some big time waiting here. John Waller's "While I'm Waiting" has ministered to my soul so many times. It's a great one for your list. I think I need to make one of my own.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank you for helping turn my little, me-centered thoughts to big, God-centered thoughts(if only for a moment). Love this.
xxxooo
i think you took this message, this scripture right out of my heart and posted it here!! and i agree that wait for the wedding is like electricity because it's bringing you two to Texas!!! and that's worth all the wait in the world!!
i'm waiting and listening and not whining today... and i'm finding that rejoicing while waiting comes a little easier today than it did February 10. who would've thought i would ever be so excited to find out what type of cancer i have...on friday! woohoo
xoxo s4j, i love you!
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