Don't Waste the Wait

I don’t know about you, but in my life a lot of things just don’t happen on my schedule...when I would like for them to happen. It seems there is always something I am WAITING on.

What about you...what are you waiting for? For a relationship to materialize or improve? For a raise/promotion? To be recognized for something you have done to improve yourself and your value to others? For a sale to go through? For a prayer to be answered? For financial investments to pay off?  
   
A big part of life is WAITING...so what are you doing while you wait? Some people become bitter because they feel they have been waiting too long. Others get depressed waiting and lose hope of their situation ever changing. 
   
Waiting is hard because it can feel like we have no control. But while we may have no control over when a situation will change, we do have control over our focus during the wait. I have never had a single situation get better by focusing on what I did not have while I was waiting. 
   
Have you ever considered that the wait could be a time of growth? A protracted time of suffering or pain can make you thankful for all the “normal” days. Doing without something can cause you to focus on the simple things that bring true joy and peace...like friends, faith, family, etc. 
   
This past year several big things have been out of my control and I found new meaning in a Bible verse that you may have seen printed on a t-shirt, etc. It says, But those who WAIT on the Lord will renew their strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not be weary, They will walk and not faint. Through all of the waiting for wrongs to be righted, to see where to go from here...in the midst of all the craziness, I found peace looking to God and saying, “I’ve done all I can do. I can either look at what I don’t have or I can look to You to help me and WAIT for you to show me what’s next.” In this, I discovered strength and peace in hope-filled waiting. Things will change, but by His hand and in His time, not mine. 
   
I don’t know what YOU are waiting for this week and at this time in your life, but I pray your wait isn’t wasted. Look for growth, joy and hope in the waiting! 

Blessings, 
Pastor Rob