In God’s Waiting Room

Have you ever had a dream that seemed lost and dashed to pieces on the rocks of disaster or disappointment? Take heart. Many great men and women have had such experiences. But they believed that good things come to those who wait. They learned valuable lessons in God’s waiting room that could not be learned anywhere else.

Abraham was 100 years old before the promised child Isaac was born. Joseph, the dreamer, was sold into slavery by his brothers, unjustly accused of rape by Potiphar’s wife, and thrown into prison for 13 years before seeing his God given dream become a reality.

David, John the Baptist, and Paul spent time in God’s waiting room before seeing God’s call and promises fulfilled in their lives. Jesus had his wilderness experience where he was tempted by the devil. He spent 30 years in the waiting room before beginning his public ministry and fulfilling his mission of redemption for a lost world.

I must admit that I don’t like waiting. I’ve spent a lot of time in waiting rooms. It isn’t easy. A friend of mine is doing hard time in prison. He knows the adage, “If you can’t do the time – don’t do the crime.” But he also knows God’s redemption through Jesus Christ. God has changed his life and given him a dream and a calling. He knows he needs patience. “But how does one wait patiently?” he asked when he requested my prayers.

It is not easy spending time in God’s waiting room, but here are some tips to help us redeem the time and prosper.

First – REFOCUS. There is a saying that has been around for years that says, “Yard by yard, life is hard; inch by inch life’s a cinch!” While that may be somewhat simplistic there is much truth in that statement. How do you walk around the world? Take one step at a time. Don’t focus on the long range goals as much as the short range goals. Instead of a yard, try an inch.

Refocus on the purpose of suffering and trials. God is more concerned about our character than our immediate happiness. Focus on eternal things rather than temporal, transitory things. For the child of God, suffering is always redemptive with eternal rewards. (Hebrews 11)

“This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. He never sinned and he never deceived anyone . . . He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right” (I Peter 2:21-25 NLT). Refocus by waiting on the Lord in worship and trust. (Isaiah 40)

Second – REJOICE. Paul and Silas were thrown in prison. But at midnight they were singing praises to God. (Acts 16) Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord and again I say rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). In I Thessalonians 5:17-18 we are urged to, “Give thanks in all things, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Rejoicing will liberate your soul.

Third – REST in the Lord. God doesn’t want us to be full of anxiety. Worry changes nothing. Worry is sin and robs you of faith and peace. God has prepared a place of rest for his people. A rest from our labors and self-endeavors. (Hebrews 4) We enter his place of rest through faith and obedience. Jesus said, “Come unto me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Fourth – REDEEM the time. I used to always wish it was a future time. I once remarked to a friend, “I wish it was summer and the school year was over.” His wise reply got my attention, “Don’t wish your life away. Time goes by fast enough.” How many times do we wish our life away? Enjoy and savor the moment. Don’t waste your time always wishing for a future time. God gave you today to live. We must redeem the time by using it wisely for preparation and training. Waiting is not sitting in a rocking chair twiddling our thumbs. Be useful. Make use of the opportunities that come your way.

I’ve noticed that peaceful, contented people in a waiting room pass the time with some activity – perhaps knitting, reading, crosswords, or talking to someone. God’s people redeem the time getting to know God more intimately.

Fifth – REMEMBER your Redeemer is working in you while you spend time in God’s waiting room. He is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). The Divine Potter is molding and making us while we spend time in God’s waiting room. It is God who “both wills and works for His good pleasure” in our lives (Ephesians 1:9). Be patient like the farmer waiting for the seed to produce, said the Lord.

Sixth – RELATIONSHIPS are vital to help us is God’s waiting room. God made us to need and to relate to the people He puts in our lives. Jesus ordained the church, the body of Christ, for this purpose. To say you don’t need the church is to contradict Jesus. “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together especially as you see the day approaching “ (Hebrews 10:25).

Are you in God’s waiting room? How can you wait in peace and prosper while waiting? REFOCUS, REJOICE, REST in the Lord, REDEEM the time, REMEMBER your Redeemer is working, and RELATIONSHIPS with other believers are vital blessings.

Jesus invites you, “Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).