This is Part 2 of a three part blog series.
More times than I can remember, Momma would say to me ‘good things come to those that wait’. This was Mom’s response whenever, as a teenager, I would languish over sitting at home Sunday afternoon and evening watching the TV program lineup – – while all my girlfriends had dates. What she was saying to me is, ‘Wait on the Lord – – do not compromise your standards just to keep up with others – – do not let other people’s time become your timetable – – stop comparing your life to others.’ And, after 38 years of marriage to the wonder-full man God blessed me to be found by years later (in His time), I know she was right!! (Thanks, Momma!!)
I have found the same holds true for every aspect of life. Everyday life can tempt you to lay aside your standards, adopt other’s timetable, compare yourself to those around you or, in general, compromise what’s best for something less – – usually for the sake of instant gratification or quick results. This is especially so when you compare the direction of your life or your growth to others who seem to be accomplishing more, in less time than you. That’s when you tend to resort to ‘making things happen’. But, more often than not, you’ll find that instant gratification or quick results that comes from compromise is not lasting or fulfilling, and usually leads to disappointment. On the other hand, lasting and fulfilling results are typically proceeded by patience and perseverance.
Living in a world set on seeing immediate results, it is often easy to become impatience and anxious when things take longer to happen than we want or expect. Rather than giving it time, we start worrying. However, there is great benefit in practicing patience. The best selling book in the world puts it this way, ‘But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing’ (James 1:4, AMP). In other words, your fulfillment in life depends in large part on you learning the lesson of waiting. Why? Because waiting matures you as you learn to persevere or ‘hold on’.
And then, there is your time – – and there’s God’s time. God’s time is always the right time. ‘There is an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth’. (MSG, Ec. 3:1) If it is not God’s time, it’s the wrong time and you are just making ‘it’ happen and ‘it’ will eventually make a mess that may take a lifetime (or even generations) to clean up. So what’s the solution? I believe Psalm 37:34a provides the answer – – ‘Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land’.
Your challenge: If you find yourself in a place of waiting, ask yourself ‘What can I do to prepare me for the very thing I’m waiting for’?
Be you and have a wonder-full day,
You’re full of wonder! That’s what GOD said, when HE made WONDER-FULL YOU!!