Waiting

Waiting is hard and sometimes even painful.

Last Wednesday night, in the middle of a fantastic Summer Camp (VBC) at Amberlea, Brian, Tyler and I went to my mom’s for dinner.

After an amazing Indian meal — that only my mom can cook — I got up to clear the dishes.  I was busily putting dishes in the dishwasher when my mom called me over to show me something.  A second later, my cell phone rang.  

“It’s Emily”, I said excitedly, as I turned on my heels and ran toward my phone.

Forgetting that I had left the dishwasher door open, I banged my legs on the door, flew over the door and crashed on my mother’s tile floor.  I wasn't even playing Pokemon Go...honest. Yes, the dishwasher door is fine. Yes, the floor is fine… thank you for asking.  

I, on the other hand, did not fare so well.  Can someone tell me, at what age is it that we no longer bounce when we fall? 

I was still pretty sore the next day, but carried on. Nothing could keep me from the joy of being at VBC! But by the evening I was in severe pain in both legs, so on the advice of family, friends and a good few nurses, Brian took me to Emergency to get checked out.

The waiting room was packed. And there we waited.  And waited. And waited. And waited.  And I became increasingly more uncomfortable with every passing moment.  An hour went by and then another. I watched as people came after me and were allowed access into the next level waiting room. 

“That’s not fair”, I thought to myself. “Sure, their injuries are more serious than mine, but … but … fine.” And the waiting continued. Then I overheard another patient on her phone saying, “I’ve been sitting in this chair waiting for almost 4 hours. No help in sight.”  

UGH!

Waiting can be hard. On that day is was also painful. It was just a tiny taste, I would suggest, of what many of us go through during a season of “waiting”.

We’ve been working through a series called Habakkuk.  If you recall, God told the Old Testament prophet that Israel would be conquered by the Babylonians.  This was an awful blow to the prophet since the Babylonians were a much more evil people then the people of Judah. It just didn’t seem fair!  Habakkuk responded with frustration and asked, “How long?” and “Why God, why?” 

Have you ever asked God those questions?

Why has this happened, God?

How long will I feel this way?

How long do I have to wait?

How long before I get the job I’ve been working so hard for?

How long until my dreams come true?

Why do we experience things in life that cause us to question God and our purpose in life?

Perhaps the question is the point.  There are times when questioning God could become a significant part of your faith journey. Those questions help us to dig deeper, live with purpose, cultivate hope, and find God.

God can handle our questions. Even better, God will speak to us if we listen. God told Habakkuk to write down what God would reveal to him. 

Why write it down?  So that Habakkuk, and you and I remember God’s faithfulness to us.

Living is waiting, isn’t it?  Each day brings something new — new challenges, new blessings, new circumstances.  Each time a dream is fulfilled it’s replaced with another hope, and the waiting begins again.

God is a faithful God. Do not lose hope along the way.  We may not see the fulfilment of God’s promise right away, but if God promised it, you can be assured that it will come.  Wait for it.

As you wait serve the Lord, glorify God, and trust that God is good.