Waiting: Are You Doing It Right?


Its spring time, which means EVERYONE is getting engaged. I have had six friends become engaged in the past month alone. I’m happy for everyone, but it also begins to make me, anxious waiting for my chance. Which brings me to waiting. In lines for food, at the grocery store, at the bank, to get gas, at red lights, in class, at work, to meet that someone, to get married, to have children, for the future, for Christ to come back, we are always waiting for something. It’s unavoidable. HOW we wait, however, is up to us.

     First, we can act impulsively. Instead of pausing to see what is the best course, we jump ahead and end up often worse than when we started. When we’re driving and our lane is slow, we switch lanes hoping to go faster. But what happens then? That lane stops too. The same thing often happens when we are in the checkout line at the grocery store. This is the hurry-up-and-wait mentality of many in our society.

   Second, we can passively wait. This is when we have the attitude of, “It’ll happen when it’s supposed to, and there isn't anything I can do to make it come faster.” Often this can be seen when people are looking for jobs. I see all too often an apathetic attitude towards the job search. Only one application is put in, a resume may or may not have been put together. It is like we deserve what we are waiting for, so there’s no need to work for it.

   Finally, we have another option. It’s called actively waiting. This is the attitude of wanting to be ready for what comes. It is constantly working to make ourselves better in time for whatever we are waiting for. One example is that we are called to continually work for Christ and bring glory to Him until He returns. We aren't supposed to just sit back and wait for Him. We are to spread the word of the Gospel to all. Another example of active waiting brings us back to the thought I started with, singles waiting for that perfect someone.

Do you be impulsive and date as many people as possible, hoping to find the right one?
I love Taylor and all, but when it comes to dating ...
Do you just sit back and passively wait, hoping one falls from the sky?
I hate to break it to you, but it doesn't rain men ...
No! Ladies (and gentlemen), we should be actively waiting for the right one. I’m talking as much to myself as I am to y’all. This doesn't mean serial dating, or hiding in your house. This means several things. Focus on making YOU the best you can be. Learn who you are in Christ, what you like and what you don’t, learn how to get along with others, and learn how to forgive. Do well in school, succeed at your job, and try new things. Find your identity, instead of searching for someone else’s.

How are you waiting? Are you going crazy trying to make something happen? Are you sitting back waiting for it? Or are you going out and being the best you can be? Are you making sure you’re ready for it, when the next thing happens?

“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but 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.”
~Isaiah 40:30-31

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