By Stewart Holloway
PINEVILLE, La. – Do you ever get tired of waiting? I do. I’m especially not a fan of waiting rooms. If my appointment was at 8:00, why am I still sitting in the waiting room at 8:27 and don’t see the doctor until 8:45?
Waiting bothers most of us. Traffic. Drive thru lanes. Check-out lines. Anticipation of big events. We don’t want to wait.
We especially don’t want to wait on God. Unfortunately, it seems God makes us wait more than any doctor’s office. We think surely that the God of the universe – the One who created and sustains all there is – could answer, provide, or direct quickly, even instantaneously. But He seldom does. Often (usually!) He allows us to wait.
Why is that? Sometimes it’s to let us realize that what we are waiting for is not really what we need. Other times, God makes us wait to prepare us for what He will do. At still other times, God makes us wait to help us be even more grateful when He does answer. And sometimes God allows us to wait simply to help us grow in our faith and patience.
At our church’s business leader luncheon on Monday, John LeBoeuf reminded us that the Bible is a book of “has happened” and “will happen.” Just because something hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean that it won’t. Just because God has not yet fulfilled a promise doesn’t mean He has broken that promise. Just because God has not yet answered your prayer doesn’t mean He has forgotten. We just need to wait.
No matter how long you’ve been waiting on God, keep waiting. It is worth it. Abraham waited for 25 years. Joseph waited 13 years. Moses waited 25 years. Jesus waited 30 years. If God makes you wait, and He will, you are in good company. Be patient. Stay faithful.
“The doctor will see you now.”
FINALLY!!!!
Stewart Holloway is pastor of the First Baptist Church in Pineville. This editorial first appeared on his Facebook page.
