The Waiting Room [Part 1]

Patience adj

1: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint

2: manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain

3: not hasty or impetuous

4: steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity 

One pertinent, ironic motto for more recent generations could be; I want patience - and I want it now! Whether it’s online download speed, waiting in line for your morning takeaway coffee, or waiting for that elusive car parking space – waiting evidently drives us crazy! 

We have become accustom to the upside of modern conveniences, which have dramatically reduced waiting times, and effectively fashioned our expectations. Consequently, society has become more demanding and less patient – but when it comes to what really matters have we lost the art of waiting?

Technology has speed up many things; air travel gets us to our destination in hours, not weeks; a computer via the internet delivers electronic mail faster than it would take to place a stamp on an envelope; a digital camera lets you see your picture instantly, where previously you would need to first finish the film before getting it developed; and a microwave oven accelerates the heating process - but are we able to speed up the timing of God?

The Waiting Room is an unspecified time of waiting, and often endured in suspense! We all could identify in some way with the emotional experience of the Bible's Abraham and Sarah as they endured The Waiting Room. Their faith was being challenged, as ours is from time to time. Time after all, is an effective revealer and shaper of character, and the following sequence of events is an ideal example of what impact patience (or impatience in this case) can have on our decisions and the fulfillment of our dreams.

A vulnerable time, a flawed conclusion followed by an impulsive and fraught approach lead to a serious error of judgment in a moment of justifiable despair. Years had slowly passed since God deposited vision into the heart of Abraham about blessing and influence, and becoming the father of many nations - but as yet the father of none! Isn’t it true that at times there is a great disconnect between the grand vision, and the reality of your present situation! And in a sensitive moment of the month, like many others I guess, Abraham and Sarah desperately wrestled with their doubts, and assisted by rational explanation convinced themselves that they had no other option but to implement an alternative plan. Obviously misinterpreting the following quote that; the secret of patience is doing something else in the mean time!

Abraham regrettably fathered his wife’s maidservant’s child, but it wasn’t long after this as the book of Hebrews records, Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. No matter the impossibility or timeframe, let’s not jump the gun on God! As He promises, He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 

Patience in contemporary times may well be a rare character quality, but for those who desire to see a measure of success in life, it’s one worth developing, and as the Psalmist says; God, the one and only - I'll wait as long as He says. Everything I hope for comes from Him, so why not?

Stay Posted for The Waiting Room Continued... 

Is it too good to be true...

Authentic. adj. true to one's own personality, spirit, or character.

Is it too good to be true... If so, it's easy to start explaining away, or justifying people's apparent goodness, and concluding that it's simply a case of convenience; They have a positive attitude because they have no real challenges; they are generous because they can afford to be; they’re willing because they have the time; they’re always grateful because they’re blessed. It’s obvious the reason they are the way they are is because of their fortunate position in life. However if that wasn’t their life experience, I’m sure it would be a different story! Assumptions like these can prove to be glib and misguided, as the following account of Job's intense character probe reveals.

Many would be familiar with the adversity that beset Job, and that tragically unfold in his life. Literally, all hell breaks loose on this reputable man! This is a classic case where bad things happened to a good person. It all started with this assertion; that Job had good reason to fear God. The arguable reasons behind why were due directly to God’s wall of protection around him, his home and his property, and that (God) made him prosper in everything.

God spoke very highly of Job saying; He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless – a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. As you can see Job was a prime candidate for the blessing of God, and as a result was the greatest and richest of all the people. Job was the real deal but his authenticity and motive in question, as it seemed too good to be true.

God, confident in the character of Job, said to His adversary with strict conditions; All right, you may test him. Job subsequently was on the intense end of a strategic assault on his personal assets; his family; and then on his health, in an attempt to expose him as being superficial and insincere. However through these relentless attacks, severe setbacks and devastating events, it says he did not sin by blaming God; he said nothing wrong; and maintained his integrity.

Billy Graham is aptly quoted saying; When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost. Job may have lost his wealth and his health, but he said; I'll not deny my integrity even if it costs me my life. I'm holding fast to my integrity…and believe me, I'll never regret it. Its been said that tribulation is a test tube, and nothing is proven until it is tested, and Job inadvertently proved many things as he endured tribulation with integrity and dignity.

Unlike the example of Job, human nature tends to blame and critique God, questioning His character in tough and challenging times (more quickly than we attribute good to Him.) We desperately and understandably seek answers to tragedy, crisis and unexplained events. We overanalyse and ask rhetorical questions; what have I done (or not done) to deserve this, only serving to confuse and self-condemn. In Job’s case though, he was blameless. Someone once said; The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don't know what to do. Job’s honorable example graciously instructs us in the art of prudent responses. Despite the well-meaning yet perverse counsel he received by those closest to him, he was well guided by the high standards of his own convictions.

Throughout the trial, Job had a real and robust personal encounter with God. Coming out the other end, Job testifies, I had only heard about you (God) before, but now I have seen you with my eyes. How we view God in our circumstance is critical, and does determine whether anything good arises from the ashes. Job’s testimony is as follows, The Lord restored Job. The Lord blessed the later days of Job's more than the beginning.

As Job experienced, there are many things we don’t have control over. Circumstances change, context continually shift, and many times unpredictably and without our consent. One thing that we do have control over is our character. There are times you have no control over what happens to you (or said about you), but you do have control over how you choose to respond to it. When circumstances are beyond your control, take courage that your character is not. 


Other related reading; Character Calibration, Stand Your Ground

Stand Your Ground

Stand. v.tr. To resist successfully; withstand.

There are many opportunities in life to wisely, honourably and courageously Stand Your Ground. However this doesn’t always seem advantageous - whether it’s in the playground or the boardroom! Public opinion, peer or su-peer-ior pressure is a confronting social science. Going along with the crowd is easier and more risk-averse, but doesn’t always prove beneficial. Many find uniformity comfortable, using social camouflages to blend in, effectively concealing any distinctions – or unique characteristics.

We read in the book of Daniel about three young men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, who when confronted with a life and death ultimatum, forsook what was popular and protected, to do what was right in their heart, and in the sight of their God. In a courageous act of defiance, as everybody else conformed and fell to their knees to worship the gold image, they remained standing. With the consequences of a burning fiery furnace clearly outlined, and given the second opportunity to comply, they stood by their convictions and shunned compromise at any cost. Demonstrating that, He who kneels before God can stand before anyone. They boldly stared down their intimidators, and with resolve in their heart declared; …we have no need to answer you in this matter...our God who we serve is able to deliver us…But if not, let it be known to you.. that we do  not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image...This showing, that character makes statements not deals!

We live in an ever-increasing politically correct and secularised world. The culture of the world is subtle in its attempt to bring you to your knees, metaphorically speaking. As Romans 12 says, Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking …the culture around you, always dragging you down... The crowd shouted out to Jesus as He was being crucified on the cross; If you are the Son of God come down... It took strength and character for Jesus to stay up on that cross, obedient to His Father’s will. Likewise these three young men were not prepared to lower themselves to the level of the crowd, succumbing to the non-values of the compliant majority. It’s been said; The enemies you make by taking a stand generally have more respect for you than the friends you make by being on the fence. Unless the crowd is pursuing God, don’t follow it! 


These three young men cannot be accused of faltering between two opinions or flirting with alternate lifestyles. One thing their peers and superiors accused them of, was that they had not paid due regard to the king’s wishes.  Divided-loyalty is an oxymoron. Jesus says in Matthew 6:24; No one can serve two masters; and in Matthew 12:25 He states; Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

Let us develop a character like these men, who avoided duplicity, defied the king’s worship agenda, disregarded public pressure, survived the fiery furnace, and by doing so influenced the spiritual allegiance of the king and that of the people. Be determined in life to wisely, honourably and courageously Stand Your Ground, no matter the cost, knowing that, a man or woman with God is always a majority.




Reference: Daniel 3:1-30