The Waiting Is The Hardest Part
There are times it seems life is a battle between what is “now” and what is to be “later”. I want it now. What I want, when I want it. I don’t want to wait. In this day and age of instant communication waiting seems even harder.
I don’t wait by the phone for that important call. The phone comes with me.
I don’t wait by the mailbox for a letter from a loved one. I have email.
I don’t wait to deposit my check. I have direct deposit, online banking and it even does the math for me.
We have instant messaging, easy mac and cheese, and fast pass. Netflix delivers seasons at a time.
It seems what we don’t have any more of is time. For all of our time saving devices (just think about doing laundry by hand…really….it wasn’t that long ago) we are in more of a hurry now than ever before. Our calendars are full and our fuel tanks are empty.
I imagine that waiting was just as hard for the disciples. Jesus ascended into heaven, but before he left he gave the disciples two sets of instructions. The first was to go to Jerusalem and wait for the presence of the Holy Spirit to begin their ministry. The second was the Great Commission, the directions to begin that ministry and who to speak the Gospel to. After that they were watched Him go. It had been a long 6 weeks, filled (literally) with ups and downs. Upon the cross, down into the tomb, the heights of knowing Jesus lives, the lows of “Peter do you love me?” the high of “I will be with you always.” And now they wait for the Holy Spirit to descend upon them. Not moments, not minutes, not hours, but days. The disciples returned to the upper room and waited for the Holy Spirit. I imagine the anticipation was like a kid wondering if it was Christmas yet. What did they do with all that time? Acts 1:14 (ESV) says:
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
They prayed, together. I truly believe that a lot of what we feel needs to be done is instead our sinful nature throwing things on the calendar. One distraction after another. One want after another. We put our happiness in the temporary things of this world and we are shocked when our happiness is temporary. We are waiting for Christs return, just as the disciples waited for the Holy Spirit. How do we wait? Are we waiting or are we to busy? In not waiting, we forget that waiting provides opportunity to reflect, an opportunity to pray, and an opportunity to build relationship. A relationship with both God and the people God has placed into our lives. James gives us encouragement in 5:7-8 (ESV)
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
It’s hard to wait. Luckily the Lord has given us things to do while waiting for His return. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit already. So I encourage you to look at your schedule. How are you establishing your heart?
Is their time for church?
Bible Study?
Prayer?
Time to be out showing God’s love in the community?
So I have to ask…how are you waiting?
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! – Psalm 27:13-14
Waiting alongside you,
-Pastor Dan