What Are You Waiting For?

There’s a lesson that The Holy Spirit keeps returning to me over this past month. Let me first confess that the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22&23) that I most have to strive for is patience. Often, if I am not moving forward I become apprehensive. My husband bought me a spa pamper session for my birthday one year and it was very thoughtful. However, as I lay there getting a facial and message, my mind was listing all the things I should be doing instead and what a waste of my time this seemed. A friend suggested we look at the study The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer for our women’s group and as we reviewed the trailer for the video series I contemplated where the root of this feeling lies. The truth for me is found in the idea that if I can check enough boxes on my to-do list then I can somehow show my worth. Ouch, that hit a mark!

Earlier this month, I got away with my youngest daughter to the restorative sands of Cocoa Beach, Florida. No agenda, no demands, just reflection and resetting my spirit. Morning walks along the shore had me marveling at the works of a mighty God. I took the time to just be with Him in prayer and scripture, and would carry a song of praise at different intervals throughout the day. Whereas for David in Psalm 23 had green pastures and quiet waters, the Lord was leading me beside crashing waves and to lie on warm sand and find “He refreshes my soul.” (verse 3 NIV) God’s nearness during this time did more for my sense of worth than any checklist could accomplish, and all I had to do was lean into Him.

I am reminded of Martha and Mary in Luke 10. “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'” (verses 38-42 NIV) My to-do list, like Martha’s, was an attempt to show I have value, but it quickly becomes a distraction. I won’t deny that as God’s hands and feet we are called to do good works, but works for work sake and not His sake are fruitless. The best thing we can do as believers is to draw near to Him and He will amplify what needs to be done.

My time of reflection at the beach has led me to seek to be more like Mary. I long to sit at His feet and just listen to what He has to tell me. To lean so closely into Him that I am covered in the folds of His robe. I suppose the better question than “What Are You Waiting For” would be “What IS Your Waiting For?” Are you being refined and renewed by a much needed pause? Is there a purpose in the waiting where He is moving things into position for your future? I often would see myself like a racehorse in the starting gate; my eagerness rattling the metal as I know any moment the doors will open. However, this month has shown me that there is a blessing in the waiting if you are still enough to see it. Do your best not to chaff against the stillness and have anticipation rob you of the jewel that is the quiet place with a Good Shepard.