Waiting Well

“Hurry up and wait.” How often have you mumbled those words to yourself? To “wait” is not what we want, but it’s a daily process we all go through. We wait in line at the checkout, wait in traffic that’s backed up, wait for an important medical test result, and wait for a real person to answer the phone at a service center. The longer the wait, the more the frustration, the more questions, the more uncertainty, and the more weariness. 

The prophet Habakkuk foresaw his nation being violently and unjustly taken over by a ruthless enemy, and he questioned God as to why He wasn’t listening to their prayers, why He was silent and letting it happen. God told Habakkuk to wait. “Write down the revelation, but the revelation awaits an appointed time. Though it linger, wait for it; it will surely come and not delay.” God made it clear that if we’re going to bring forth the promises of God in our lives, we have to develop the patience that endures the trial while it waits with expectation.  

When it’s taking longer than we think, we need to realize that God is not making us wait to make it hard on us. He’s using it to develop our character. Patience is an inner strength that we all need to learn. Patience is what brings forth God’s promises. The writer of Hebrews says, “For you have need of patient endurance, so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised” (Hebrews 10:36). We need to develop our patience, knowing that at the appointed time, God is going to get us to where we need to be as well as give us what we need. 

That doesn’t mean we should sit and do nothing. God says we should be actively waiting for and pursuing Him and preparing ourselves for what is coming. That’s what I call “waiting well.” The Scripture says, “See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains” (James 5:7). The farmer waits with high expectations, looking for the rain, watching for sprouts, believing for a harvest, even when he doesn’t see anything happening. He knows that if he patiently endures the wait, it’s just a matter of time and the soil will yield a harvest. 

What are you waiting for? Be patient and get prepared. God is more interested in what is being developed in you while you wait than what you’re waiting for. Enjoy where you are right now. The appointed time will surely come. Wait well, knowing that through patient endurance you will bring forth every promise God has given you.