By Sandra Gibson
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31)
Some years ago a songwriter penned a song to the above scripture - “They that wait upon the Lord” and the verse finished with the words “Teach Me Lord, to wait”. I really had to think hard and long about those last words.
There’s a more recent song that say “I don’t mind Waiting” well, I had to think even harder and longer before singing this song and asked God if that was true, if I really didn’t mind waiting. I took a look at the lyrics and interesting enough over 50 times, these words are repeated “I don’t mind Waiting”.
Honestly, I didn’t like waiting. If I go to transact business and there was a long queue, there was no way I was joining but would decide to return which would be a few days later. I really believe back then I had kept Barclays Bank in business with late fees because of my impatience, until I got fed up and disposed of the card.
If I went to the supermarket and still do at times today, I searched for the shortest line to join and whilst in that line I am still looking for a shorter line to dash to.
When driving and there is a buildup of traffic, I prefer to find another road even if it means driving longer, so long as I do not have to wait.
Quite interesting, God has taught me how to wait, not through a long line of traffic, or a supermarket line or a queue in a bank, but simply through something I love, my job.
For over 14 years, I have been in the shadows of managers, one after the next. As soon as one would leave, I would be drawn out of the shadows, only to be thrust back when another one joined. So there I was for all those years, in and out of ‘some-nine-persons’ shadows. At one time I had even applied for the position but was unsuccessful and so there I stayed in the shadow, only to realize some years later, God was giving me some lessons in waiting on Him. He was doing as the song says teaching me to wait. We do not always understand what God is doing but if we wait on Him long enough, if we trust Him long enough, even though pain and disappointment, we would find out.
While teaching me to wait on Him, God has allowed me to learn from them one after the other, things that I could not learn from a book. We don’t always understand when we are waiting but know full well that the time will come when you will no longer be in the shadow. That will be the time when God would have finished molding you and ready to put His vessel on display, when you are fully equipped and ready for the task ahead.
So if it looks as if God has forgotten you, as if you are waiting forever, think again! 14 years is a long time but guess what, not only am I out of the shadows, but I have mounted up with wings as an eagle. I am letting you know today, you are not forgotten, you are not waiting for ever, God knows your name and if you wait on Him and trust His good plans for your life, you too will mount up with wings as eagles, you will run and not be weary, walk and not faint.
So, I do not have to be scared to sing those 50 words I don’t mind waiting or to ask the Lord to teach me to wait because I know today, it’s all in my favor and according to God’s will and purpose. Wait on Him, my friend!
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