In the place of surrender, I sensed a lifting
Not me rising but the shifting of once
Indomitable sense of hopeless helplessness;
I sensed a stillness in my soul
I sensed a stillness in time and space
Like something was about to happen
Like turning an incredible corner
Maybe God is done with me, maybe not
Maybe God is about to show up, do with me
As He pleases but eternity came and went
And nothing changed, nothing happened.
Slowly, I eased the tenseness of waiting
I eased bubbling hope now flagging despair
I stilled and steeled my soul instead in wait;
For Once I will not worry, I will not hurry
For once, I will quit watching the time
Counting the stars and checking the waves
I shut my eyes, shut off every other
I resolved this time, however long it takes
I will wait for God, I’ will wait on God:
“Whenever, however You meet me, take me
O God, just as I am for I am all Yours.”

Food For Thought: Time crawls when you are waiting and patience often in short supply. Once I thought waiting meant withdrawal from active engagements, to enter into the mode of watching for what is coming. Then I found that is the very place where time is the slowest, frustration abounds and despair harasses flagging hope. Different folks may have discovered different ways to wait but I have learned that waiting is not quitting; waiting means our expectation is awake, sensitive and watchful. There may be things to attend which should be given nothing less than our best without allowing them to consume us as we carry with us, the sense of expectation. Expectation that is focused on God alone. You don’t wait by watching the clock, whether on a spot or in motion. Let time be and mind your focus. What is it that you have to do? Don’t set it aside because you are expectant. If it needs to be done: give it your best. Often what we do in times of waiting are preparations and transitions that determine success or failure when the expectation eventually arrives.

Scripture: But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40: 31.

Prayer: Dear Lord, it is hard for me to wait, yet I can’t walk with You except I learn to wait: teach me to wait on You O God, help me to wait on Your time, amen.