Written by Jessie Mejias, FHI Founder and Director
For many years, my sister worked for a major airline. As a result, I have been able to fly to different places across the globe, many times in first class, at a greatly reduced cost.
There’s just one hitch: I have to “stand by”—that is, wait for the availability of seats.
I have to admit, there have been times I’ve opted to buy a full-fare ticket rather than experience the anticipation of waiting for a spot. However, when I have waited, I’ve often been rewarded with a comfortable, roomy seat, and the special treatment that goes along with traveling in first class.
We don’t always find the idea of waiting so appealing. Fast food, instant credit, TV on demand, and streaming media, for example, are all so readily available. Waiting seems entirely passive. If I am waiting, I’m not doing something, not accomplishing anything. Time is passing, and time is money. It’s almost as if we are afraid to wait – afraid to not manipulate the outcomes to just what we think they should be.
But God sees great value in waiting, and especially in waiting on Him.
That’s because, to Him, waiting is action. “Wait on the Lord” is every bit as much a commandment as “Go and make disciples.” As it’s said in Hebrews, the faithful learn to wait, and in waiting, they know true rest and true faith.
When we don’t see anything happening, it is so tempting to take matters into our own hands and make changes out of our own strength. But waiting is an active pursuit of the Lord – it’s not passive at all! It’s a lot like being led through a dark place by someone holding a lamp. Without that lamp, you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face, much less your next step! But, even though you need its light, because you don’t hold the lamp, you have to trust its holder to guide you to your destination.
Waiting is following — it is allowing yourself to be several steps behind the One leading you, keeping your eyes on Him for direction, and never losing sight of Him. It’s a true act of faith.
When we wait on the Lord to fulfill a promise, we are active as we hope, anticipate, look for, and expect Him to do what He has said He will do. We’re also not as likely to go ahead of Him if we are waiting. Our motives are purified, and our faith strengthened, when we wait.
We get to let go of the fear of not having control, and find instead the experience of a joyously unexpected journey.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJV)
Ready to learn more strategies for overcoming fear? Sign up for our Freedom From Fear seminar on Saturday, April 8, 2017! You can learn more and register at fhi-freedomfromfear.eventbrite.com. Contact us with questions at info@findinghomeinstitute.org.
