“Not everyone can wait: neither
the sated nor the satisfied nor those without respect can wait. The only ones
who can wait are people who carry restlessness around with them.”
— Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945)
The title of this article, in the
context of the pain we endure for waiting upon the Lord, seems out of keeping
with joy; with that blessedness we associate with a God who gives good things
and gives with abundance.
There is a divide between life;
those who can wait and those who cannot. If we are true to ourselves we
resonate with both ideas. Some things we have waited for, whilst others we
could not wait.
Blessing followed us for our
waiting, but we made our own consequences for not.
Consequences of Not Waiting
The truth is, not everyone can
wait. Not everyone is prepared to endure what it takes to patiently distract
oneself in the ‘eternal’ meantime between a promise and that promise’s
delivery.
The difference is, does the
propensity not to wait
characterise us at the
moment?
These are always quite personal
questions. We know what we are waiting for. It’s not like we can get away from
it. If we are waiting it’s probably because the thing we are waiting for is
hounding us. We somehow have an inkling that if we give in by getting what we
want before time, or by giving up before time, the consequences will be dire.
Though it pains us to wait, and
for all we’re worth we may not be able to understand why we need to, our
logical minds advise:
1) don’t
give up;
2) don’t
give in by forcing the pace or forcing God’s hand (as if it could be forced!);
3) don’t go near regrettable
territory.
Learning to Bear the Burden of Hope
Carrying within us the
restlessness of a distant hope seems easy for others; but let’s not be tricked.
It is a difficult journey for everyone. Everyone has hopes that in some part
are realised and in other parts are dashed. Everyone hears the resounding “NO”
of God, just as everyone hears the Divine “YES,” and everyone, also, has
unanswered prayers.
The wondrous opportunity we have
is to grow to full maturity regarding the bearing of burdens.
This is a wondrous opportunity,
because, no matter where we go or what we do in life, God will ask us to wait—either
upon an answer to prayer, or upon the actual delivery to or from something by
prayer.
***
Better to wait for our prayers to
be answered and not rush headlong ahead of God. And, better still, it’s better
to accept God’s final word than allow resentment to mount.
© 2013 S. J. Wickham.
1 comment:
Amen! Thank you Steve. This is excellent and a confirmation. May God richly bless you for your outreach.
Blessing,
In Christ.
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