Waiting...

It seems that my life has become an exercise of waiting. Waiting on doctor appointments, test results, prescriptions to be filled, blood transfusions, kidney stones to pass, medical decisions, insurance coverage to be worked out, words from home, liver transplant, and waiting on going home to Hawaii, my ministry, my friends, and Debbie.

Waiting is difficult for many reasons.
* It can feel like I have lost control of my life.
* Uncertainties of the future.
* Planning seems impossible.
* Passive living as if life has been placed on pause.

Waiting is impacted by so many things.
* Whom or what I am waiting on.
* How long I have waited.
* The circumstances in which I am waiting. (pain, loneliness, circumstances growing worse, lack of answers)

Waiting can corrupt my perspective and rob me of peace. Waiting can capture my total focus. Waiting can weaken my faith.

But strangely enough, I am discovering that waiting is a key to opening the door to a journey of deeper trust and a closer walk with God.

Waiting, slowly and sometimes painfully, strips away substitutes for God. Too often I find myself focusing on things that leave me short of God’s best for me. Waiting is not a punishment or simply God’s effort to make me patient. God’s intention is to connect me to His presence, promises and his power. Waiting on the Lord is His objective in my waiting.

Waiting allows me to be still and know He is God.
Waiting allows me remember He is always in control.
Waiting allows me to learn not to lean on my own understanding.
Waiting allows me to live what I believe.
Waiting allows me to discover new ways to minister to others.
Waiting allows me to rest instead of stress.
Waiting allows me to count my blessing and appreciate those things that are eternal.
Waiting allows me to look for my Deliverer, not a liver.
Waiting allows me to long for the Healer more than a healing.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Father,
Thank you for the privilege of waiting on You. You are permitting me to experience my human limits. It is there that I am tired and grow weary, sometimes feeling I may stumble and fall. But it is at that very point that I am ready to embrace your mercy, love, and peace.

Father, I will hope in You. Help me to run the race and to walk with you as You renew my strength. Have your way in my life so that I can learn to soar with You.

Waiting - Dan