Dr. Helen Titilola OLOJEDE

Last week, we commenced a series on waiting, discussing how to purposely wait on God without growing weary.

 

So, another way we could wait is to be present. That is, living in the present moment. It is important not to allow the period of waiting to rob us of the joy of the present. We should make a conscious effort and decision to avoid the constant thoughts of the unknown, the anxiety of when and how it will happen, which takes one away from the present. It is crucial to wait and to be joyful even while waiting. Having a trusted friend or community with whom one can feel vulnerable and unburden one's heart is equally wonderful. After all, we are all interdependent beings and social animals. We live in communities and God did not create us either to live alone or to go life alone. We need people. We need one another.

 

That said, are all waits delays? Instinctively, we tend to equate waiting with delay. However, as believers in Christ, this is not necessarily the case. We can take cues from the words of God.

 

Isaiah 55:8 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.” This means that what seems like a delay to humans could simply be God’s timing, as His timing is usually not ours. Being omniscient and omnipresent, He knows what is good for us at all times beyond what we could ever imagine.  His timing is always perfect, with Him being in total control of everything at all times. What seems like a delay might simply be because the answer you seek is not in His timing yet.

 

Psalm 3:3 – “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Sometimes what seems to us a delay may just be God’s way of protecting one from something harmful. He knows everything about everything. He knows the people, places, things, and happenings in all places at all times. He knows the outcome before it occurs. Because He loves us deeply, He only wants those things in our lives that will further His work and accomplish His will. Remember that all His plans are GOOD. (Romans 8:28).

 

God has some words for us in the scriptures. I hope it soothes and encourages.

Psalm 27:14 - “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

Lamentations 3:25 - “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”

 

In the coming week, we will discuss spiritual dryness and waiting on God.

 

May the Lord grant us peace and joy in waiting. Shalom.