A Heart That Waits

Isaiah 40:31 "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." (KJV)

Most of us do not enjoy hearing the word "wait". In the society we live in it is hard to be patient. But yet this verse in Isaiah encourages us that as we wait on the Lord we will have our strength renewed. I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty good to me.

Lately this seems to be a continuing theme that God is trying to drill into my heart, in many areas. I recently shared that our oldest son has been having a lot of struggles with his health. While running cross country this Fall he was injured and unable to finish the season. Since then he has had continual pain in his hip. After numerous doctor appointments, x-rays, etc. we finally have a diagnosis. He has hip flexor strain. Which basically means that all the soft tissue that supports his hip is inflamed.

Now this may not sound like good news, but it was to us because it looked like he could possibly end up having to have surgery on it. Praise God he won't have to go through that. What will help the strain to get better? Time. He was given exercises to do twice a day to help strengthen it, and also he will be on ibuprofen regularly for a while to help with the swelling, but it will just take time to heal.

Being told to wait, wasn't the answer my son anticipated. If anything I think it was frustrating for him, because it already has been almost two and a half months since the injury. But for some reason this is where God has him (and us) right now. In a holding and waiting pattern.

As my thoughts turn toward Christmas, I realize how difficult it must have been for generations as the Jews to wait for their promised Messiah to come. And when he came, he didn't come as they anticipated. He came quietly in the middle of the night as a fragile baby. He wasn't born in a fine palace but in a humble stable. The years of waiting came to full fruition when Christ was born.

What things have you been fighting against God's timing lately? Are there areas in your life where He is telling you to wait on Him. Go to him for patience as well as strength. Only He can satisfy.

ACTIVITY
Practice being patient and waiting. This week as you are waiting in line either at the grocery store, gas station, etc. make a point of letting someone else go in front of you. Not only will you bless them, but it also will allow you the opportunity to practice your skills at waiting.

PRAYER
Lord, teach me how to be patient and wait upon you. Help me to seek you for strength and not things of the world. Thank you for all the years of waiting the world experienced so we would have Jesus. Thank you for Jesus. Amen.