CAN YOU WAIT?
“Don’t keep me waiting.” Nobody likes to wait on anything. We are all affected by this lack of endurance which is actually a rest before something happens or we reach a goal. The word “wait” in the Bible can mean to “abide,” or to remain temporarily; live, dwell, reside, or stop in the sense of staying somewhere for a while.
All find waiting difficult, the old, the young and especially we Americans in this fast paced life that is filled with so many distractions. How many examples could I give of wanting something quickly and even instantly? If we wait the least little bet we grow impatient and when we get in a hurry we mess things up. Patience is a virtue.
THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING
A wise man once said; Eccl 3:1 “To every thing there is a season , and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
This phrase above spoke to me; “A time to keep silence and a time to speak.” What wisdom is in those few words? Words are like a sword, and can be effective in destroying someone, protecting yourself or others you love, and cutting for good or for bad.
A PASTOR’S PRESPECTIVE
As a Pastor to a wonderful group of believers, I fear every time I step in the pulpit and every time I leave the pulpit. “Did I say the right thing?” If you want to offend, get in the pulpit, the opposite is true if you want to protect and love someone one do the same. It can be a fine line. The waiting on ones ministry (Rom 12:7) is the hard part. Any one can say something and sometimes say it very well. However from years of experience and mistakes I have found that many times nothing said or done is the best. That is hard for even an experienced preacher.
How long does it take to wait on ones ministry? A life time, so do not get in a hurry; the best time of your life and ministry is the time spent waiting. And if your gift is of God, most of your time will be spend waiting.
In Hebrews 10:32, the Apostle Paul reminds us of the former days in which after being enlightened by our salvation we endure a great fight of afflictions. By being a spectacle, by reproaches and afflictions. But he encouraged us, not to cast away our confidence of faith, which has great reward. And in verse 36 he says; “For ye have need of patience (which is endurance), that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promises.”
Young and old preacher alike, sometimes, if not most of the time, the will of God will be to wait. That’s a hard one to endure, and most cannot, because they lack the faith! They have to must to do or to say.
Pastor Bill Ivy – Living Word Tabernacle, Campbell Missouri