Waiting for God is not one of my strengths. In fact, I’ve never understood the concept. Until now. The dictionary.com definition of the word wait is:
to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens
I’ve always felt that God created us with a brain, the ability to reason, plan and act. His Word is our instruction manual as to how to live and make decisions, therefore we have what we need to go forward. Sitting in an inactive state of repose seems counterproductive.
In the early 90’s I had a miscarriage after 4 years of infertility tests, procedures and prescriptions. I was devastated. I wanted to be angry at God, but instead I clung to Psalm 25 and a couple of years later we were blessed with the birth of our daughter. Two weeks ago that little blessing left the nest and moved 8 hours away. Once again, Psalm 25 came to mind and I opened my instruction manual to verse 3.
Indeed, none of those who wait for Thee will be ashamed.
I decided to do a bit of research into this verse and here is what I discovered:
- The terms “wait for” in Hebrew mean to bind together by twisting. To collect, expect, look patiently.
- The root meaning is that of twisting together or winding a strand of cord or rope.
- It signifies to depend on and to order activities toward a future event.
As I meditated on this discovery it occurred to me that “waiting” in His eyes is not inactivity in the least. It is the period of time that we are being bound together. His will and mine are being twisted like a rope which creates strength and sturdiness. And what do we use ropes for? To tie together, to hoist, to save. We use them as harnesses and to tether ships to docks.
To tether ships to docks…. I am the ship. He is the dock. I am free to navigate my journey and to plot out my quest, but He is the port from which I depart and to which I always return. The storms I encounter as well as the beauty of a sunrise are part of the journey and part of the bonding. Which leads me to the next ah-hah moment in regard to “waiting on God.”
As I am being twisted and wound together with the God of the universe, how do I know what path to take? Where do I find the “light on my path” in the darkness of night? Just as navigators on the sea have done for centuries, I look to the stars. Just as sailors have used stars to orient their ships in the right direction, I have the ability to “order my activities toward a future event.”
And what is that future event? Just as early explorers were seeking new lands and treasures of the earth, I am navigating toward a new land and treasures that may or may not be seen on this earth. You see, there is a new kingdom already on the calendar, the plans and activities are at work in dimensions we cannot see. There are galaxies that aren’t visible to the naked eye, but we know they are there. And as I wait for Him to fulfill His promises of establishing His kingdom here on earth, I consciously choose the path that will find me unashamed at my curtsy before the throne.
That is a state of repose I look forward to.