Not liking this "waiting on God" stuff (Romans 8:24-25)

SCRIPTURE: Romans 8:24-25 - larger reading Romans 8:18-30

That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

QUOTE: by G. Campbell Morgan

Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort.  Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given.

OBSERVATION:

We are not very good with this waiting stuff… or at least I’m not. It took me only one visit before I determined the fastest way to go through Disney World. Going against the grain there was very little waiting in line. I hate long lines. Even when I am not in a rush I look for the shortest line at the checkout counter. That’s not a good sign… emotionally speaking at least.

Once the Christmas decorations go up, I want the day to arrive. And, I never was very good with those “do not open ‘til Christmas” stickers. Why do we have to wait? Impatience rules the day and… ruins our life? Awe the glory of the microwave and instant dinners… even when the instant dinners taste like cardboard.

The lesson shared by Paul must be learned if we are serious about a living relationship with God. We need to wait on God… patiently wait on God. Waiting for his time. Is it true that the longer we wait the better we become? Paul would have us think so. Are we missing out on an extra portion of heavenly joy by being impatient? Paul has so suggested.

People like Mr. Morgan have implied that “waiting” takes work and lots of concentration. Waiting requires trusting the one who is in charge of the outcome… and that ain’t us!

Don’t you just love St. Augustine when he prayed: “God, give me patience and give it to me right now!” He’s my kind of thinker, but alas, I (we) have to learn Paul’s lesson. That’s the better way. Darn it all!

PRAYER:

Boy, God, we need a good dosage of patience … right now! Can’t you just hurry it along? Please. Okay, God, we’ll go over there to the corner and simply sit and wait, but God waiting is kind of hard. No, we are wrong, it is very, very hard. Help our impatience.