“There can be unprecedented potential for personal growth and supernatural enlightenment when perfecting the art of waiting on the Lord.“ Chapter 14 excerpt from “SUPERNATURALLY DYSFUNCTIONAL.”
I would bet that most of you who are reading these words, at this very moment, would agree that at some point in your life, you have had to practice the art of waiting. Perhaps you feel that you are currently in a "waiting" kind of a season. The title of chapter 14 from the above mentioned book could be bringing a flood of memories of the many hours, days, months or even years that you have had to wait on something.
Unfortunately, it's undeniable and definitely inevitable. You're alive, you are human, you will absolutley spend time waiting. It is the behavior in the waiting season that actually matters most.
While standing in line for something, are you impatient? Or do you relax your shoulders a bit, practice gentle breathing, while simultaneously smiling at those who are waiting alongside you? That was a test question, by the way. I am sure you passed with flying colors.
Have you ever noticed that while waiting, when we dwell on the fact that we hate waiting for a specific item or event to occur, we become short-tempered or easily agitated? Has there ever been a time that the irritation we generate in those exact moments shortened the length of time spent waiting? Do we feel better when we snap at others because we are tired of the wait? It truly is wasted energy, isn't it?
So why do it? What if we were to enjoy the journey while we wait? What a concept! One of my favorite singers, Tommy, says it best, "you take it on faith, you take it to the heart. The waiting is the hardest part." Amen to that one. Yes, waiting is often the hardest part, but enjoying the journey during the wait doesn't have to be.
The picture at the top of this blog is of my soon to arrive first grandbaby! I have said many times that I just "can't wait" to meet this little one. Yet waiting is actually necessary and part of the deal. It takes around nine months for a human to incubate prior to his/her earthly debut, that is nothing new. Most of us waiting for the new baby don't just sit around and complain that it's taking too long to arrive. We usually pray, plan, and shop like crazy until he/she gets here. We occupy until the wonderful event occurs.
In Luke 19, Jesus is telling a parable of the "Ten Minas." In the latter part of verse 13, he says "occupy until I come." You probably remember this story. A noble gave his workers 10 minas and told them to put his money to work while he was away on a trip. Two out of the three workers did as the noble directed and were rewarded accordingly. The third worker, however, did not. The two who did well, "occupied." They kept busy, about the noble's (the Lord's) business. The third worker, fretted, quite possibly to distraction, buried the noble's coin, and lost all favor with his employer. It was wasted, negative energy. Jesus doesn't want us to live like that.
Though waiting isn't easy, I promise you can definitely enjoy the journey while you do. Perhaps working on a positive mindset full of happy intention could lighten the load a little while you wait.
Who knows, in the middle of the waiting, we may even hear a whisper or two from our Heavenly Father. Especially when we don't permit ourselves to be impatient, allowing the worries of the moment to choke out the happy, or even quench the Holy Spirit. It really is our choice. The solution is simple. We are as happy as we make our minds up to be, aren't we? How about we choose happiness, peace, and positive mojo while we wait instead of dread or irritation! I'm game, are you?
**Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the art of waiting on you. Thank you for your love, wisdom and tender mercy. We need you every day, Lord, especially while we wait. Thank you for wispering in our direction when we get it right, or when we just plain need your direction. Thank you that we can come to you in prayer any time at all, knowing that you will always hear us. We love you, Lord. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.**
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