The Spirituality OF Waiting

The Spirituality OF Waiting

In his insightful book, The Path of Waiting, Henry Nouen sharply observed that for God’s people waiting is not a passive unproductive act but active. Thousands of years ago the Prophet Isaiah declared that “they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.

I admire people who have learned to master the discipline of waiting.

Waiting in line strains our patience. One privilege of being a senior citizen is the priority lane, which at least eases the discomfort. Important people like government leaders, public officials, wealthy influential figures, celebrities, famous stars, even religious leaders, should not be kept waiting. They expect to be whisked off fast and easy, by-passing the ordinary herd of humanity whose fate is to endure waiting to take their turn.

I have a friend, a lawyer, whose profitable business has endeared him to the officials of the bank which he employs in his transactions. When he enters his bank, he goes straight to the manager’s office with so much ease and facility, a privilege denied to many. He is served coffee or lemonade while the personnel hurry off to facilitate his business for him. He should not be delayed a minute longer. What a privilege. But does it always work out that way?

Dr. Harold Sala, has aptly observed that, “Today we are programming our lives, compressing hours into minutes and expecting instant results and immediate success. We strive to leverage God asking Him to help bolster our output.”

No, it does not always work that way.

No matter how privileged or powerful one is, no one can claim he is absolutely in control.

The bank goes off-line; the plane is delayed; the deal is called off; the storm and typhoon rages; the appointment is postponed; the remittance money was stolen; the application is denied; the bid for election is lost; and one can’t do anything about it, except to wait for another opportunity.

God is teaching us to trust, wait patiently and to hope. The path of waiting is the path of true character.

“…it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
-Lamentations 3:26