Waiting

For the past few weeks, I have been frustrated with how some situations in my life are unfolding. No matter how I try, these situations just don't turn out how I want them to. I've noticed a prevailing theme of impatience in my attitude toward others, myself and my circumstances. I want people to understand, I want things to change, I want to make a difference - NOW.

So yesterday I prayed for wisdom to understand the situations I am in and to know the right course of action to take in each one. I realize that I don't know everything. I can't see from God's perspective. But He promises that He will give wisdom to all who ask for it.

I am kind of ashamed to admit that I didn't really expect an answer. At least not an obvious, written-in-the-sky kind of answer. But that's what I got. One of my devotions yesterday highlighted this verse: "Wait on the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait on the Lord" (Ps. 27:14). When I read those words, it was almost as though I could hear God's audible voice telling me, "Wait. I know it's not easy; you're going to have to be strong and take heart. But wait anyway."

He gave me the same message today. When I started my car this morning, the radio came on. I don't usually have the radio on and had been planning to listen to my iPod, but the song playing caught my attention. This is what I heard: "I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You, Lord." Waiting? Where have I heard that before? I listened more closely and heard the rest of the lyrics:

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race even while I wait
I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait.
(John Waller - YouTube video)

Amazing song! Amazing God! How perfectly He timed my driving so that I could hear this song and have yesterday's message of waiting reiterated and expounded upon. Waiting doesn't mean idleness or marking time until the real action shows up. Waiting can be a time filled with service, worship, and growth - running the race and remaining faithful. I pray God will grant me the patience to wait on Him and use every minute for His glory.