There's Value in the Waiting

Sometimes our impatience comes from knowing the likely outcome and
desiring it fulfilled...NOW!
In our instant gratification society, we have trouble with waiting.
We feel like were wasting time or we find we're bored.
We've lost the ability to appreciate time's gift.
We've begun to think of jam-packed schedules and a frantic pace as "normal."
Most of us could do without waiting in the doctor's office, the pharmacy drive-through
lines, traffic jams and the like, but if we can allow ourselves the luxury of a deep breath
and pursue His purpose during our times of waiting, we just might discover there is "value" in the waiting.

Our very lives involve waiting. An engagement period of waiting is recommended before a marriage. We spend 9 months waiting before the birth of a child and then we wait for them to crawl, walk, talk, grow up and so on. And although there is waiting, our impatience easily stems from a perspective of productivity and accomplishment instead of just being able to enjoy the time given and find value in what God gives us in the extra moments.

If time were to really speed up to what we think we'd prefer, we just might find we'd rather wait.
Midnight would arrive before we've ever enjoyed New Year's Eve, our weekend of R&R would be more
like a weekend of B&G (blink and it's gone), the time needed for our broken heart to mend would
be non-existent and most likely we'd never rest, nor be quiet long enough in order to hear what
the LORD may want to say.

Waiting prepares, prevents, allows for and expands.
Waiting prepares our hearts for what is to come.
Waiting prevents our emotions from ruling our hearts.
Waiting allows for us to get right, to settle, to grow; for our hearts to soften and our courage to rise.
Waiting gives time to God's purposes.
Waiting creates space in which the Holy Spirit can move.
Waiting expands the atmosphere and makes room for God in a world where we tend to crowd Him out.

What would have become of Isaac had Abraham not waited when he heard the Angel of the LORD calling to him from heaven?
What would might have happened had the father of the prodigal not waited for his return?
What would happen if we didn't wait for test results ?
What would happen if we didn't wait for stoplights to turn green?
And on the flipside, what might not have happened ...if we hadn't waited?
Maybe we wouldn't have had a chance to make-up after an argument with a loved one...
Maybe we wouldn't have seen the person God gave us ample time with, through His eyes...
Maybe we wouldn't stick to that impulsive decision we made and we'd decide to change our mind...
Maybe we wouldn't throw in the towel over our marriage and instead made a vow to never give up...

Do we realize that heaven waits?
Heaven waits for the yet to be drawn to Him, to be drawn in God's perfect timing.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 NKJV

The visions of heaven are for an appointed time.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.

Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV

For since the beginning of the world
Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear,
Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,
Who acts for the one who waits for Him.
You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness,
Who remembers You in Your ways.
You are indeed angry, for we have sinned—
In these ways we continue;
And we need to be saved.
Isaiah 64:4-5 NKJV

And it will be said in that day:


“ Behold, this is our God;
We have waited for Him, and He will save us.
This is the LORD;
We have waited for Him;
We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”

Isaiah 25:9 (New King James Version)

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,[a] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:8-10 (New King James Version)

Heaven waits for us to awake to the light and for the fulfillment of God's promises.
For all of heaven, your life is worth waiting for....there's value in the waiting and the value is you.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you that time is in Your hands.
Thank you that when we wait, you save.
Thank you for not giving us what we want, but always giving us what is best for us.
Thank you that when we wait, You can move.
Thank you that when You wait, we are moved by the depth of Your love and long-suffering towards us.
Thank you that Your Kingdom and it's purposes are worth waiting for.
Thank you that when we look to You, we can find the value in waiting.
Thank you that before Your son was born the entire world waited.
Thank you that His waiting for every scripture to be fulfilled, allowed for the Cross' work to be complete.
Thank you that waiting gives the Holy Spirit time to reach each and every heart.
Thank you that waiting makes room for You in a hurried and crowded world.
In Your Son's Beautiful Name,
Amen