Wednesday 19 October 2011

The Waiting Room [Part 2]


For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfilment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day. - Habakkuk 2:3

The Waiting Room can be a confronting and precarious time, and when we're left feeling suspended in time, unjustly or not; it can motivate a vain and creative attempt to usurp God’s rightful place; it also leaves us more likely to engage in emotionally charged decisions, both of which manifest in undesirable ways.
  
Many things test our patience but delay, as we see it, strikes at the heart of our hopes, beliefs and aspirations. As a result we contend with an emotional cocktail of discouragement; frustration; disappointment; and disillusionment. We become anxious that somehow we’ve been left behind or been overlooked. Though Charles Swindoll says, true patience is waiting without worrying. It’s been appropriately said that, it is tribulation that we make an experiment of our own sincerity. Proverbs cautions the hopeful saying; Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. The trouble is when it comes to things like dreams being fulfilled we’re in a hurry, but God isn’t! And it’s in The Waiting Room; as we await answers to prayer; desired breakthrough; or the realisation of a dream, that we need the endurance, wisdom and composure that patience affords.

Waiting patiently in God’s economy is not synonymous with inactivity, neither is it a convenient excuse for laziness. Patience pays off, procrastination rarely does! An excerpt from The Daily Bread says; God wants us to see results as we work for Him, but His first concern is our growth. That’s why He often withholds success until we have learned patience. The Lord teaches us the needed lesson through the blessed discipline of delay. Paul uses a pregnancy metaphor in Romans to encourage us; 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. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along.

Jesus’ brother James encourages us that challenges, tests and pressures aren’t pointless, and says; so don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. However it’s generally with the benefit of hindsight that we fully appreciate what The Waiting Room achieves and acquires. Really, we should thank God for delay because without it we would lack what it takes, and be seriously unqualified and unprepared for what lie ahead. Waiting is never a waste of time when you’re becoming someone in the meantime. 

We must confidently know that The Waiting Room has extensive purpose; faith is resolved; attitudes are tested; motives are refined; trust is gained; doubts are dealt with; identity is questioned (and shaped); humility is developed; faithfulness is learnt; priorities are established; and strengths are fortified.

The Daily Bread also says; Many a man called of God to a work in which he is pouring out his life, is convinced that the Lord means to bring his efforts to a successful conclusion. Nevertheless, even such a confident worker grows discouraged at times and worries because results do not come as rapidly as he would desire. But growth and strength in waiting are results often greater than the end so impatiently longed for…

The composure and steadfast nature of a person who exhibits the discipline of patience, whether in life or leadership, has an arguable advantage over those who lack this seemingly archaic character quality; they endure, outlasting adversity despite the challenges; complications; or inconveniences; they are less likely to be tempted with, or persuaded by inferior alternatives; and they also appreciate the importance of prudence and due-diligence in wise decision-making. Patient people rightly understand and take into consideration their own fallibility, which impatience too often highlights!

Let’s carefully consider what the Apostle Paul said; So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time (in due season) we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Therefore it's important to deal promptly and decisively with the distraction of options, and be determined to allow God’s preparation and process to go full term in our lives. God is orchestrating His perfect will, that will unfold and eventuate in His good and perfect time.