Waiting!

August 10, 2023

Waiting!

It has been one year since we made our move from Nebraska to Colorado.  We have made some new friends in Colorado while cherishing the friends we have in Nebraska.  We have found a new church home while giving thanks for the church home we had before our move.  We are still adjusting to a new life-style while celebrating the life and work before Colorado.

Although there is much to celebrate, there is one lingering challenge.  In the process of moving, I lifted, pushed, and pulled things that were far too heavy for me.  I ended up straining the muscles in my left shoulder.

Since last summer, the pain has become increasingly more difficult.  Because I believed time would bring healing, I did not do anything to resolve the pain.  That’s how the men in my family deal with pain; wait and it will get better!

However, the pain has only become worse.  I finally relented and went to a physical therapist about three weeks ago.  There are two appointments each week and exercises to do at home three times a day. 

So far, there has been very little relief.  I am in pain, I am discouraged, and I am tired of waiting for the healing.

I am not very good at waiting.  Obviously, I am not very good at waiting on the therapeutic process of physical therapy.  I have been reminded by my wife and daughters I am not very good at waiting when we are getting ready to go somewhere. 

I am also aware that I am not always good at waiting on the Lord God.

I want Jesus to deliver me right now.

I want the Spirit to lead me right now.

I want the Father to help me forgive someone right now.

I want my Savior to answer my prayer right now.

I want the Lord God to give me courage right now.

I want the Spirit to fill me with strength right now.

I don’t want to wait upon the Lord; I want it (whatever “it” is) right now and in full measure.

While I was doing my exercises (assigned by the physical therapist) last week, I got discouraged.  The pain was still just as bad and I could not do one of the exercises very well.  After three weeks, I wanted to quit the therapy and the exercise.  I was tired of waiting!

And then, I read a short section in a letter written by the Apostle Peter in the first century.  Peter shares the promise of a new heaven, a new earth, and a time when right relationships with the Lord God and with other people will be present in all their fullness. 

A promise like that encourages and inspires even the most cynical and skeptical as well as the most discouraged and disappointed.  And yet, Peter wants his readers to know that even when we are hoping for the best we can become weary with waiting.  In II Peter 3:14 Peter writes; “…while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish…”  

Here are some things I am learning about waiting;

First, Jesus sometimes calls us to wait.  There are times when we are called to take action and there are times when we are called to wait.  Peter says, “…while you are waiting…”  There are seasons when Jesus wants us to wait; expectantly, obediently, and patiently.  To wait will require a growing faith in Jesus to provide exactly what we need at exactly the right time.

Second, Jesus’ call to wait is not a call to be passive.  Peter tells us that while we are waiting we are to “strive” after some things in our relationship with Jesus.  In our season of waiting, we are to work on being at peace with God, to live a life of holiness, and to be washed clean through the forgiveness of Jesus.  Seasons of waiting will require focus, prayer, and the kind of surrender that let’s God be God.

Third, Jesus’ call to wait is just as much about me as it is about other people.  Peter says we are to wait in such a way that when Jesus comes near we will be found “…without spot or blemish.”  Most of what leaves a dark spot in our heart or a blemish on our soul occurs in our relationships with other people.  In our season of waiting, we are called to be more loving, more forgiving, and more patient with the people we have hurt or offended.  

 Fourth, Jesus is our example for waiting.  In II Peter 3:15 Peter writes; “Don’t forget that the Lord is patient because he wants people to be saved.”  Just as Jesus is patient while waiting to bring the new heaven and new earth to our world and to me, so we are called to be patient while we wait for the good gifts of our Father in heaven.

I am not always very good at waiting.  Sometimes I want to quit too early.  Sometimes I just want to be angry.  Sometimes I get weary of the lack of progress.  But most of the time, I just want to take things into my own hands rather than trust Jesus will provide the right thing at the right time in the right way.

In Psalm 46:10 I find a word of encouragement when I am tired of waiting.  The Lord God says; “Be still, and know that I am God!”  Sometimes that is hard for me.

I imagine you have a friend who is struggling with waiting right now.  Invite them to coffee, share an encouraging word from II Peter, and pray for them each day for the next week.  Your friend needs you and needs Jesus.

When you and I trust the Lord in a season of waiting, there will come a time when our hearts will be filled with delight.  That is God’s promise when we are tired of waiting.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug