Wait

Too many times in our lives, we are in a hurry. 

We’re sitting in the car, attempting to turn right, waiting for traffic coming from all directions. Minutes go by, and we become more frustrated. Every time we see a potential gap, another car appears in our view. We have to wait some more. In a moment of impatience, we put our foot on the accelerator, desperate to make that turn and get home. The decision may cost us. Damage to our car or someone else’s vehicle. Even injury or death.

We’re baking a rather large cake. It’s taking a very long time. We keep checking the cake, testing it to see if it’s ready. But it’s still a little wobbly. We take it out of the oven anyway, assuring ourselves that it has to be done because it’s been in the oven for well over an hour. Later on, we find the cake uncooked and no good for the upcoming birthday party. Now you panic. What are you going to do?

These are situations we may be familiar with. Our inability to wait and the consequences of rushing and being in a hurry. I have been reminded lately of the ‘busy’ world in which we live and wonder why our peace in the waiting has diminished. When God, says wait, why don’t we wait?

Stories from long ago

Some time ago, I was reading the story of Abraham and Sarah. God had promised them a child. But it was a horrifically long wait. And as they became older, well past the age of childbearing, the desire to wait for a fulfilled promise grew less and less. It was hard and becoming more unbearable to wait. So what did they do? They took the matter into their own hands. Abraham bore a child with their slave, Hagar. They couldn’t wait any longer. They lost their trust in the One who had told them to wait.

The repercussions of their actions brought much grief to their family. There was mocking, there was bitterness, and there was distress and anger. Hagar and her son Ishmael were banished. This was not what their Creator had intended. What could have been future blessings, brought pain and heartache instead.

As I reflected on this, other situations came to mind. Can you think of any? The Israelites became impatient with Moses who was spending a long time on Sinai, so they made the dreadful mistake of making their own god - a golden calf. What happened? Three thousand people died and they were struck down with a plague. Samuel said to Saul to wait for him before offering sacrifices. But he didn’t wait. So Samuel told Saul his kingdom wouldn’t last and someone else would take it. Saul, later on, became a very angry man.

There are more examples and I encourage you to look for them and read about them. But, for now, think about your own life. When has God told you to wait? When have you waited? When have you got weary of doing nothing and decided that it’s time something happened? And what have been the results of your decision? Pain? Dissension? Confusion and lack of clarity?

I’m fairly certain you are aware of these times. And the regrets that accompany them, big or small. But, have faith. God works in all things, including the mistakes we make. He has an overarching purpose for everything. His knowledge is too high for us, and thank goodness for that! More than anything, He wants to refine us. He wants to create in us a clean heart and restore us to Him. Through all things, if we allow Him, God will grow us into the people He wants us to be.

Next time, you sense God wants you to wait, do it. He knows the bigger picture and we can trust Him with everything.

Fiona Murray has a passion for telling stories, both real and fictional, to engage the reader in the greatest hope of all, Jesus Christ. She has been a primary school teacher, teacher aide, personnel administrator for a mission organization and a financial assistant for various community trusts, all of which has grown her love for detail and creativity. Fiona is also undertaking further Bible study from a Messianic Jewish perspective. She is married to Alan, and they live in Selwyn, Canterbury with their children, Abi and Ethan.