Waiting tends to be a heart season where hope can waver. We can get so caught up in looking off to the distance that we miss what is right in front of us, discounting blessings sent specifically to us by the Lord while in search of the elusive thing that may or may not be beyond the horizon. As I’ve been digging in to what it means to wait and to wait well, I’ve realized two things. There are a few types of wait, but primarily the verb and the noun.
WAIT, verb. to stay where one is, to delay action until a particular time or until something else happens.
WAIT, noun. a long period of waiting.
You and I are likely in the wait, in that time of being on hold, looking ahead, hoping for what might be. But while we wait, let’s be active waiters. No, not enthusiastic servers at a restaurant, but women (and men) who choose to make the most of this time, the wait, by waiting well.
What does that look like, you ask?
Excellent question.
After all this study, I believe waiting well means choosing joy in the moment and trusting God with what we cannot see. Choosing joy means being grateful for what is in the here and now, assuming a positive outlook. Sometimes that can feel hard, but with the right dose of perspective, joy can come easily (even in the morning)!
I love the scripture in 1 Peter 1:6 which says,
“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.”
Verse 7 goes on to say,
“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”
There is a purpose to the waiting, and it is to bring Him glory. May we be willing to stand in it and wait well together!