Many times (if not every time) the hardest thing to do is wait. Whether it would be at a stop-light, at an airport, or at the grocery store; waiting is always a difficult thing. It is difficult enough to simply wait. But to do it patiently is an extreme challenge. Harder than all of these other tasks is waiting "patiently for the LORD."
See, we know that God CAN do all things. Furthermore, we know that He COULD fix the problem if He so desired. But God wants us to wait for His timing- for the moment of His choosing. Pumping petrol/ gasoline can often take much longer than is convenient (especially when prices are so inflated). Yet, the experts say that the best way to get efficient gas mileage is by pumping it into the tank in a very slow manner. By doing so, one is filling the tank up with less air, leaving more room for gasoline/ petrol. Sometimes doing things the right way takes a longer, more concerted effort. It requires a patience and resilience that is only a product of... wait for it... here it comes... WAITING.
So often, we Christians are guilty of rushing in and out (so to speak) of God's presence. We have so many other chores and duties that we absolutely must accomplish. However, God is looking for a much more concerted effort from us. He says, "I know that you have many other things to do, but just 'be still and know that I am God." Being still is waiting. Yet one will never know that He is God without patience.
In the society in which we live, it's all about getting what you want ASAP: Fast food, instant oatmeal, tanning beds. I have even seen drive-thru churches. Waiting patiently is something of the past for most. Door-to-door visitation (though I am actively involved in it) is viewed by some in the same manner. If a day of visiting does not result in the salvation of a soul, some would even deem it a failed effort. However, God is the one who gives the increase. It is our responsibility to simply plant and/ or water. Though it is sad to say that some misguided people (who I have seen at work first-hand) would try to take matters into their own hands by either intellectually persuading someone into being saved or would try to get someone to pray a quick prayer that they didn't mean. Yet, God is concerned with patience.
As I am writing this note, I am in California. My wife, two children (ages 2 and under), and I have been here for about a month traveling and visiting churches on deputation. If the Lord continues providing, we hope to be in the UK by Spring of 2012. Until then we are waiting on the LORD to provide the means (even with screaming children for 2,400 miles across the U.S.). I think that it is safe to say that deputation is teaching me "a thing or two" about waiting patiently for the LORD. There is no denying the fact that we wish that we were in Great Britain like yesterday. But in order to teach us patience (and patience brings experience, and experience brings hope), we must now wait. Not sitting idle. But rather actively involved in being faithful in the now.
Perhaps the next time that we open the Word of God for devotion time, or bow our heads in prayer, or build a Gospel witness with a sinner, or take part in the discipleship of a new convert, we will remember to simply wait patiently for the LORD. And God says that if we will do this (wait patiently for the LORD) that He will (in a nut shell) establish our goings, give us reason to praise Him, and that others will trust the Lord as a result of our obedience. So instead of rushing the petrol into the tank, let us patiently do things in the most effective manner; knowing that "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."
