I think of a favorite passage in Isaiah 40:31 that says, “they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (ESV). So, if we really want to soar with Eagles and not be sore like the prairie chickens who scratch for worms in the dirt all day, we must learn to wait on God!

OK. It is one of the toughest lessons on planet earth for many of us because, if you’re anything like me, I want it NOW! I hate to wait for things that I am working to see accomplished! But, friend, just because waiting is hard does not mean that it is not beneficial! You see, while we are waiting, God is already at work preparing our exit from His waiting room! And, when He is good and ready, He will shine His light on the exit door and we can move on!

My very favorite movie of all time is “Facing the Giants.” I cannot tell you how many times I have faced a giant in my life and pulled that DVD out and plugged it into the player and plopped down in my chair to watch it….for the umpteenth time! And, every single time I watch it, I learn something new. One of my favorite parts is when Mr. Bridges (the old guy who has prayed for revival as he passes the student’s lockers) tells the coach this story: “Two farmers were in the midst of a severe drought. Both prayed for rain, but only one went out and prepared his fields to receive the rain. Which are you? You see, God will send the rain when He is ready.”

So, when you find yourself in God’s waiting room, spend that time preparing your fields to receive the rain that God Himself will send….when He gets ready. Study your Bible. Pray. Fast and pray. Pray some more. Pray for yourself as well as for the thing that seems to be standing in your pathway.

Back in the 1970’s, Russ Taff recorded a special song with the Imperials.  I’m not sure who wrote it, but they wrote a classic!  I love these words:  “When you’re up against a struggle that shatters all your dreams. And your hopes been cruelly crushed by Satan’s manifested schemes. And you feel the urge within you to submit to earthy fears. Don’t let the faith your standing in seem to disappear.

Praise the Lord. He will work for those who praise him Praise the Lord. For our God inhabits praise. Praise the Lord. And those chains that seem to bind you serve only to remind you. As they fall powerless behind you. When you praise him.

Now, Satan is a liar and he wants to make us think that we are paupers, when he knows himself we’re children of the king. So lift up the mighty shield of faith for the battle must be won! We know that Jesus Christ is risen! So the work’s already done.”

So, when you find yourself in God’s waiting room, don’t sweat it!  Just relax and know that God is working His perfect will in your life.  And be sure to not miss all the wonderful things He is trying to teach you while you’re there!  Life on the other side couldn’t be sweeter!

Remember that God loves you and He has a special purpose for your life. And, He is really good at performing miracles when we need one.

In Our Master’s Joyful Service,

Ed Smith