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We hear and make reference to how each of us is unique even though there can be many things that are similar. There are roles and callings that look alike but how we each walk them out is not the same based on a long list of variables. But one calling is true for us all. We are all called to wait and waiting is not something we enjoy whether we are waiting on a blessing or waiting for something we dread. Nevertheless it is our lot in life. 

We tend to want things now. Little wonder there can be so many grumblings when we are forced to wait. 

We see it in infants and toddlers over and over again. We might think we grow out of those urgent pleas or demands but we see it in adults caught up in road rage. We see it in pushing and shoving trying to enter concerts or sports arenas. We see it in pacing in hospital waiting rooms and on military bases around the world when we expect the return of a loved one.

Sometimes we see it when fists are raised in the air angrily berating a group or individual we do not agree with or even at God. We see it when people give up and walk away and harden their hearts to hope because life has been disappointing. We react with vengeance when we are not in control of so many things we want or that matter to us.

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One of the challenges we see story after story in the Bible is how often waiting was required and many could not and tried taking matters into their own hands to get what they wanted. It didn’t work out very well for them when that choice was made. Sarah couldn’t conceive so gave her slave to her husband to birth a child. It seemed like a good idea to her at the time. Hagar had no choice. But when she bore Ishmael, Sarah became jealous and threw her and the child out of her household and blamed her husband. She couldn’t wait on God’s promise of a child when she was so old. 

Israel wanted a king like all the surrounding nations and God gave them Saul to whom He gave instructions of how to lead. But Saul wanted things his own way and when the prophet Samuel was late he took the sacrifice and offered it up and it brought about his removal as king. Even King David had difficulty with waiting and would have killed Nabal for not giving food for him and his men had it not been for Abigail he would have done just that.

God has given us a plan for living this life but we tend to ultimately grow weary of waiting. Even so, we have all been called into lives between the “now” and “not yet.” 

Israel waited on a Messiah and when He came and didn’t meet their expectation many would not accept Him. Believers have been given the gift of grace if we accept Him despite our failures and sin and we wait on his return as king this time. What are we doing in the waiting? 

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“Already this world has been broken by sin, but not yet has it been made new again. Already Jesus has come, but not yet has he returned to take us home with him forever. Already your sin has been forgiven, but not yet have you been fully delivered from it. Already Jesus reigns, but not yet has his final kingdom come. Already sin has been defeated, but not yet has it completely been destroyed. Already the Holy Spirit has been given, but not yet have you perfectly formed into the likeness of Jesus. Already God has given you his Word, but not yet has it totally transformed your life. Already you have been given grace, but not yet has that grace finished its work. You see, we’re all called to wait because we all live right smack dab in the middle of God’s grand redemptive story. We all wait for the final end of the work God has begun in and for us.” 

Paul Tripp

As the world darkens and sickness and disease threaten, when storms of every kind wreak havoc on things and people we love, and wars and nations unravel in their godlessness, will we give up and let the light within us burn out? We have a choice every moment in how we respond to the call to wait. Our response speaks volumes to those with whom we are in contact and also to God. 

“Waiting on God is an action based on confident assurance of grace to come.” 

Paul Tripp

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