“Don’t care how I want it now.” Veruca Salt sings these words while dancing in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. She also insists that she gets what she wants when she wants it. It’s easy to cringe at her horrible attitude. We tell ourselves we are certainly not like that. But on the whole, in our fast-paced world, patience is not something most of us have enough of.
Get Rich Quick! Lose Weight Fast! Get Instant Access! We all see a good deal of these types of headlines while scrolling on our phones. It’s everywhere — instant gratification in everything from communication to consuming movies to getting meals.
In short, instant gratification has become the norm. Additionally, waiting for something can feel like an inconvenience. However, the Lord gives us wisdom through His Word. Even if the entire world is moving a million miles an hour, He reminds us of this profound truth, “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” – Lamentations 3:25 (ESV).
Waiting on Him
Waiting on the Lord isn’t just about enduring delays but also about trusting the Father’s right timing and fantastic purpose. This verse highlights that those who wait on Him are indeed met with goodness, His goodness. The world tells us to take matters into our own hands. Conversely, waiting on the Lord teaches humility, trust, and dependence on the goodness that will come from His plans for us. Our faith is for sure built while we wait. We should always surrender our desires to truly be impacted by the One who knows what’s best for us.
The other cool thing here is seeking God isn’t passive. It’s not just about sitting back. Instead, it’s a deliberate pursuit of undoubtedly engaging in prayer, studying His Word, or seeking counsel. As we do this, we naturally learn to understand His will for our lives. While waiting on Him, being with Him, we find His goodness.
Consider the Bible stories of figures like Abraham, Joseph, and David. Each of them faced tremendous trials. They all required unwavering patience and a constant seeking of God’s guidance. Their journeys were marked by waiting. In the end, they witnessed the goodness of the Lord in ways they never could have imagined.
Let’s remember the truth from the Word in a world that is constantly in a rush. Let’s embrace patience to strengthen our faith and transform our perspective. And let’s actively seek God, knowing that His goodness is a reward for those who patiently place their hope in Him.
Learning patience,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor