It is one of the things that i hear most often as I travel around the country, meeting and sharing with christians and non-christians alike…..we all hate having to be patient.
We live in a consumer society where the very concept of delayed gratification is a nightmare to every marketing man and women. Our whole modern lifestyle is built upon having what we want, when we want it. Hence drive through, 24 hour and pcik up and go. Everything from unmanned check outs to credit card operated fuel pumps – all to help us pack ever more into our busy and never ending lifestyles.
The Religious idea of ‘Sabbath’ was always designed to apply a break to our endless work, a day to rest and comtemplate God but also a day where what we DONT do is more important than what we DO do….I know many, many people who could do with inserting the concept of ‘sabbath’ into their weekly schedule, just simply to stop, smell the flowers (or coffee!) and take stock.
BUT were not dealing with this, but with the resulting chaos the endless 24/7 society has with us. We have become people who cant wait for resolutions, promotions, new ‘stuff’, relatinships – its all about the ‘here and now’…..if it doesnt work out then we bin it and move on, or change something. Or set off in another direction. Doesnt often seem to matter which direction, just anything that isnt ‘here’…and its not confined to people. Sports teams want success so badly they’ll just keep changing managers, or players, or styles or leadership – ignoring the simple fact that stability and long term patience is the BEST way to build success. Same applies with business or partnerships.
Ive been going through a season of waiting…and its been almost unbearable. Seeing so many useful opportunities open up, and yet have none of them develop or come to fruition has been driving me crazy. Yet each time I try to step out and chase them down they slip through my fingers…..only where I have waited and shown patience for things to come to fruition have I seen success. If I was doing this stuff on my own I would have given it all up as a bad job months ago.
But Im not on my own…..My faith is grounded in a God who cares, who restores, who blessess and who fulfills His promises. Not a distant bearded dude who set the Universe in motion and then nipped off somewhere else, but a loving, caring, INVOLVED Father, who wants the best possible result for my life…..and that involves trusting that He knows the best time and the best direction for my life and ministry. AND means that I am gradually learning to wait PATIENTLY, EXPECTANTLY and, dare I say it, with EXCITEMENT for all the things He is going to lead me to.
Im ready for the new things coming….I got so much building up, that when the dam bursts Ive got enough things to do for several lifetimes!!…Im going to wait until I hear that still small voice say ‘Now! Go now!’ And when that time comes all that waiting is going to be worth it….
Its coming. Its coming soon! Want to come with me?
Then lets get ready……
