LIFE ON HOLD
We’ve all endured the telephone routine. “Our representatives are on hold. Please wait…” I grow weary of waiting after ten seconds. But in 2012, an Australian man apparently set an unofficial world record, claiming he was on hold for fifteen hours and forty minutes with Qantas Airlines. After two hours, he decided to ride it out. While waiting, he surfed the internet, slept and read a 200-page book. During his telephone adventure, he could have flown non-stop from Australia to the U.S. Eventually, he was fed up, gave up, and hung up. I’m guessing he got stuck in some sort of technological “loop,” which could have continued ad infinitum.
Scripture heralds “waiting on the Lord” as a virtue. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Consider these verses from The Passion Translation: “Why would you sink into despair? Just keep hoping and waiting on God” (Psalm 42:5). “Lord, the only thing I can do is wait and put my hope in you.” (Psalm 38:15). “I waited and waited and waited some more, patiently, knowing God would come through for me” (Psalm 40:1).
Like our Aussie friend, our existence has been put on hold in the great phone queue of life. Anyone feel like we’ve been stuck in line at the DMV for months? We’re waiting for the endless COVID restrictions to be lifted, getting the kids back in school, our political situation, or just general life issues we want God to change—family, friends, finances. It isn’t much fun… even if you are able to catch up on your reading. We’re tired of waiting for God to act.
Being “on hold” doesn’t mean we idly sit, twiddling our thumbs in hellish boredom, watching paint peel off the wall. Waiting offers great blessings. One definition for “wait” means “to be temporarily unfulfilled.” TEMPORARILY unfulfilled. In Hebrew, “wait” comes from a root word meaning “to be entwined.” What a beautiful picture— entwining ourselves with the Lord, joining in his purpose, as we trust his timing. Psalm 27:14 from The Passion reads, “Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting!” It isn’t easy, but in the end surrendering to God’s timing is the only way to experience God’s perfect peace.
WATCH FOR A SPECIAL ARTICLE TOMORROW—ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF OUR FAMILY’S QUARANTINE ON THE GRAND PRINCESS
Principle: We struggle, as we wait for God to act.
Promise: Waiting on the Lord offers great blessings.
Ponder:
In what particular situations do I struggle with waiting on the Lord?
How can I see these times as blessings, rather than burdens?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Psalm 40.
Prayer: “Almighty God, you are Lord of all. You see what we don’t see, and know what we don’t know. In our hearts, help us to surrender to your timing and wait on you”
Perceptions: Record any ideas God puts on your heart from today’s devotion.