Waiting isn't easy...it is hard and never something we willing choose! We are busy people who often want things now, but still waiting is a part of life. Titus 2:11-14 says, "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good."
Friend, as Christians we are waiting for Christ to return and during that time we will also find ourselves waiting for answers, direction, wisdom, provision and on and on. An important thing to remember is while we wait for Jesus to return His grace is already and always available!! This grace will teach, instruct and sustain!
As I've been thinking about waiting and studying what the Scriptures say, I've come to the conclusion that there's basically two ways to wait. I can worry and be anxious or be intentional and trust God. I hate to admit that all too often my go to response is the first one, but I know the grace of God can and does help me say no to that type of reaction. God doesn't want me, or you, to worry or be anxious - sometimes He has us wait to remind us He is in control!! When it comes to waiting He doesn't want us to waste that time, but instead He often uses it to prepare us, teach us and mold us. The more we trust Him, the quicker we'll be to depend on Him and the easier it becomes to wait on Him!
These thoughts led to more as I read Galatians 6:9, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." These words brought farming to mind and I naturally thought of my husband. He plants the seed, knowing and trusting God will do the growing. He plants in May and harvests in October, but in between while he is waiting for the crop to grow, he has work to do.
And friend, the same is true for us as we wait for God. We may have to let God cultivate the soil of our heart and remove weeds so that our faith can grow. We may have to spend more time seeking God. (Lamentations 3:25) And as we wait there is always time to pray. The time we have is valuable and we must use it wisely...that won't happen if we're anxious, but it will if we're intentional and choose to trust God. We must not give up while we wait, but instead allow God's grace to fill us, strengthen us and help us persevere!
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming.
See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop,
patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
You too, be patient and stand firm,
because the Lord’s coming is near.
James 5:7-8
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