Wait

by Lydia Floren

Sometimes, life spins out of control. We have so much to do that we don’t know what to do next. We make “to do” lists of our “to do” lists. We are busy, but we don’t seem to be going anywhere. Finally, we get so overwhelmed, we hit a wall, and turn back to God. Here is a conversation with God, based on Isaiah 40:27-31:

“Help!! I’m dying here, God. Don’t you get it?”
“Oh yeah, I get it, alright. I’ve seen this a lot.”
“Well, what should I do about it?”
“You really want to know?”
“Of course.”
“You are not going to like this.”
“Try me. I’m drowning here.”
“OK, here is what you need to do:  wait.”
“Really? That’s the best you got?”
“Yup, the very best I have. Waiting will get you where you need to go more than all that running around you are doing.”

Wait? That seems like the last thing we need to do when we are overwhelmed. But waiting is different than we think. It is not tapping our foot nervously, glancing at our watch. It is not reciting our problems expecting instant solutions. Waiting on God is the practice of stilling our minds and hearts and spirits. Giving thanks. Connecting. Savoring His word. Listening.

When we stop. And still ourselves. And just focus on God, appreciating who He is and what He is about, everything becomes clear again.

In His presence, God gives us

• Perspective: When we are in God’s presence, He helps us see what is truly important.
• Wisdom: When we wait, God gives us wisdom and discernment about how to move forward.
• Power: Focusing on God, and being restored gives us new energy. It empowers us to take the next step.

The most important time to wait – to spend time in God’s presence – is when we don’t “have the time.”  When we do, we step into our day at peace, settled, confident. Pretty soon we are trotting, then running, and before we know it, our feet lift off the ground, and we soar.

“Yet, those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength;
they will mount up with wings like eagles,
they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31