Waiting...

Are you impatient?  Do you have trouble waiting on the Lord... for him to reveal what is next, to help that friend or family member, to restore a relationship, to restore a person mired in sin, or to restore you?  Consider this:

We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and present us with you.  Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God’s glory. Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.   2 Corinthians 4:14-18

I am encouraged by reading the scriptures and learning that God's timing is not our timing, and seeing how many of the saints had to wait for years or even a lifetime for their prayers to be answered.  In the meantime, they continued to serve God wholeheartedly in life, in service to their community, and in their families, and in prayer.

The founder of Voice of the Martyrs, Richard Wurmbrand (1909-2001) apparently knew about waiting.  He spent over 14 years in prisons in communist Romania because of his faith and his ministry.  He endured horrible conditions and torture.  By his faith and waiting on the Lord, his ministries have reached millions of people and continue to this day.  Read about him here...  http://www.persecution.com/public/ourfounders.aspx?clickfrom=c2lkZWJhcg%3d%3d

Can you think of other examples of people who have waited on the Lord?  How is their story encouraging you to stay the course and to continue to serve as you wait?

Two contemporary Christian songs also lend encouragement:
(1) Everlasting God "...strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord..." (click link for youtube video)
(2) While I'm Waiting (click link for youtube video)

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Peace,

-atg-