Ready:
“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
-Psalm 27:14
Set:
Jason is a good coach. He coached with me as one of my assistants in Oklahoma. I always knew he had a good basketball mind and that it was just a matter of time before he became a head coach. Strongly desiring a head position himself, Jason waited and waited. He took several positions to teach and coach, but yet was never named a head coach. Other friends around him were getting head coaching jobs, but not him. So, he waited.
Sound familiar? Maybe you have been there too. I know I have, many times. The Bible talks about the life of David. You know the giant slayer? He had to wait too. At the age of 16 he was anointed king, but it wasn’t until age 30 that he became king. He waited 14 years! Not only did he wait, but he had to run for his life while he waited as a jealous King Saul was pursuing him. Waiting on the Lord is one thing, but fearing for your life and waiting for the Lord is another.
As Jason waited he made good use of his time. He took other coaching jobs to prepare himself for the time when he would get a head coaching position. He didn’t sit and pout and play “woe is me” in waiting. But he certainly learned what we all learn: that waiting for God is not easy. Many times it seems that He is not answering our prayers or does not understand our timing needs. But when we don’t trust Him, we imply that God is not in control or is not being fair with us. We know that is not the case. In this waiting, God wants to teach us, refresh us and renew us so that we will be of greater use to Him.
Like David, Jason knew that the waiting would be worth it. Jason finally landed a head coaching job for a girl’s basketball team, and his team did extremely well. His patience and diligence in the meantime paid off. So, what about you? What are you waiting on God for today? How long have you been waiting? Days, weeks, years? Are you ready to give up, give in or give God more time—His perfect time—to act? God’s desire is for us to make good use of our time waiting and find out what He wants us to learn. One thing I have learned in life is that He won’t leave you hanging out on a limb forever. He will act, but in His time.
Go:
1. What are you waiting for?
2. How hard is it for you to be patient?
3. Today, how can you make good use of your time while waiting on God to act?
Workout:
Psalm 40:1-4
Lamentations 3:24-26
Romans 8:25