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Think back to high school for just a moment. For some this is not that far back, and for others it may be a stretch. Close your eyes and remember what it was like on game night. You’re huddled with your teammates, the crowd is yelling, and you’re waiting to enter the field. The team has spent countless hours preparing for this moment. Hearts pounding, blood flowing, and the rush of excitement coursing through your veins . . . It’s GAME TIME!
So what does waiting look like in everyday life?
When we think of waiting we probably picture ourselves passively waiting on something or someone. Waiting sometimes feels unproductive.
Here’s the what the Bible says about waiting:
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
In this verse there are three key words: wait, run, and walk. Scripture clearly illustrates to us that while we wait on the Lord, we can expect to be active. We can also see that for every small effort we give to the Lord, He rewards us greatly! He promises if we wait on Him, He will give us strength. If we move when He tells us to move, He will not let us grow weary or faint. What an amazing and gracious Heavenly Father!
Throughout Scripture we find countless examples of God’s people waiting.
In Genesis God commanded Abram to leave his country and go to a land that He would show him. Here, we don’t see a man who sits and waits for God to provide a MapQuest version of detailed instructions to follow. Instead, he is commanded to simply go. And Abram went.
In 1 Samuel we see an adolescent, David, anointed by Samuel to be the next king of Israel. Yet in the very next section of Scripture, we find David playing his harp for King Saul. In fact, there are many years filled with active adventure including slaying Goliath and fleeing from Saul for his life between David’s anointing and actually becoming king.
As you read through the Bible, you’ll find that we are not told to sit, but to come, follow, walk, and run.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” – Hebrews 12:1
God calls us to run with patience. Both of these are words chock full of work. Running and patience take practice. Doesn’t this seem like an overwhelming task? If you continue through the next two verses you will see where we find our source of strength.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” – Hebrews 12:2-3
Fear Not
If we’re actively waiting then we’re more than likely anticipating something. Often, in life-changing decisions, I think we allow fear to overtake our anticipation.
Fear is defined as “being afraid or apprehensive.” In contrast, anticipation means “the act of looking forward; especially; pleasurable expectation.”
In the midst of both feelings, you experience a racing heart, a fluttering in your stomach, but one feeling pushes you forward while the other feeling holds you back.
I am not fearful of the journey ahead. Instead I am anticipating-ly and heart pounding-ly ready. Ready to go when God says, “Go.” Not sitting worried about what might come. The Lord reveals His will to us as we actively seek Him while waiting on His guidance. Throughout Scripture when God’s people had to wait on the next step, they weren’t sitting idle doing nothing; they were moving, building, overcoming milestones, conquering enemies, and winning battles victoriously.
How can you actively wait today? Read God’s Word. It doesn’t matter where you start reading, just start. Application. Apply what you have read to your life.
How can Scripture impact your decisions? Live intentionally. In every decision make it as unto your Heavenly Father. Watch for the Lord’s hand in your life daily even in the small things.
Trust me. He is there. In fact, God is always there drawing you to himself and inviting you to surrender everything – even your fears – to him.
Copyright © 2021 by Candice Alba @https://antiochgt.com/blog/waiting-looks-like-every-day-life/ No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org.