By Greg Primm
While I’m waiting - John Waller
I’m waiting. I’m waiting on You, Lord. And I am hopeful. I’m waiting on You, Lord Though it is painful But patiently, I will wait.
I will move ahead, bold and confident Taking every step in obedience While I’m waiting I will serve You While I’m waiting I will worship
While I’m waiting. I will not faint. I’ll be running the race. Even while I wait
I’ve been gravitating to this song on my iPod lately. It’s a slow, methodical song who’s message speaks to me. You see, I’m a bit impatient. Actually, that’s too kind. I’m REALLY impatient — one of those clock-watching, toe-tapping, “why aren’t you ready yet” kind of guys. For those of you who know me that is no magical revelation. I’ve always been that way. Born with it I guess.
Someone once asked me why I am always in a hurry. My answer was that “any place worth going is worth going to fast.” It’s not really true, but it sounded good.
So for all my impatience, there are parts of my life that have been painfully slow in developing. Projects, dreams, goals that seem just out of reach. It seems no amount of pushing or prodding can get me there. This used to make me angry, and I’d just push harder, which lead to more frustration.
The thing I like about this song is right in the middle — I will move ahead, bold and confident. Taking every step in obedience. At first blush that doesn’t make sense. The terms “waiting” and “move ahead bold and confident” don’t go together, do they? Can we really be waiting on God and taking bold steps at the same time?
I think we can. After way too much time spent thinking about this, I’ve finally come to the conclusion that God’s trying to teach us that if we turn loose of the ending, the story will turn out so much better. That’s what this song has taught me anyway.
In so many areas of our life, most of us think we should wait on a clear path from God and then set out once we know where we are going. It sounds great. Usually I weigh the pros and cons. Pray about it a little. Discuss it with family and friends. Thinking all along that the best decision will just magically make itself known. But sometimes the direction I get is more like — “I kinda think this is maybe the right way to go.”
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Joshua 1:7
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Hebrews 11:8
I’m reading through the Old Testament right now and there’s a recurring theme among the ancient stories. So many times in scripture, God asks His people to undertake epic journeys and battles without revealing exactly where they would end up. There was the promise of great things but not a lot of specifics.
“Trust me, it’s going to be GREAT!” What’s going to be great? ”Just wait, I’ll show it to you when I’m ready.”
Can you imagine the frustration?
Yet he asked his people to obey and not just follow, but be confident and courageous that they were moving in the right direction. If we obey God, there is no reason not to move ahead bold and confident that wherever it is we’re going will be the right direction.
So here’s the deal. If I give up control of the end, if I release to God the final chapter and live obedient to him daily, he’ll take me right where I need to be.
Easier said than done.
I think that’s the point.
Photo credit: Fire Monkey Fish
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