Learning to Wait

There’s a scripture we often use to set the stage for learning and being patient. With the focus stopping on the patience needed!

But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

As I age, I learn that the patience of “waiting” was never intended to reference the idea of sitting somewhere and doing nothing. For the most part, few of us are patient about anything.

You know, a watched pot never boils! If you keep staring at a clock it just slows down! That deer stand is a cold and lonely place as you patiently wait on that trophy buck.

Instead of thinking of this scripture from a singular light of English reference, we must understand the context of the original language. A single Hebrew word is translated into the phrase: “But those that wait…” and is indicative of a collective action including others and references the idea of binding together, while being active.

Waiting is not sitting back, twiddling our thumbs,
and waiting on someone to show up,
rather, it’s the action required to live
while we are waiting collectively for the promise to come.

Consider Jesus teaching about the future scary times. We call them the “End Times.” When the world has seemingly gone mad, and you are called on the carpet for your beliefs and actions, use the time as a testimony. Be a witness. Go tell it on the mountains! Over the hills and far away!

At the end of this section, he adds this phrase:

By your patience possess your souls.
(Luke 21:19)

In the middle of calamity and nightmare, don’t let the times get you to fret or worry. Possess your soul with patience!

What’s that old song we like to sing when we are needing some assistance to just stand where we are?

Learning to lean, I’m learning to lean
Learning to lean on Jesus
Finding more power than I ever dreamed
Learning to lean on Jesus.

Learning to be patient is not a solo act, rather, it’s knowing who to bring into the equation for the best success of the moment.

Look at the rock in the photo… It’s round, and it has a natural inclination to be on the move. But something holds it in place, waiting for the movement to happen. Until it does, it’s waiting, energy stored, one day, it will be used for its intended purpose.

Are you weary? Tired? Do you not know what to do next? Take a deep breath. Find your foundation. Stand up. Strongly united with Christ. Face the challenge. There. That’s a winner!