The Waiting Game
“These guys are slower than Moses,” I think to myself while kicking a rock on the edge of the dirt street. I’m beginning to learn the way of life in Tanzania and some days it can be annoying. Almost in a mocking tone the chirping birds of Africa reminded me that they were hard at work and I was there only standing. Even the nearby early morning rooster was busy calling all to wake up from their slumber even though the sun had already been risen for 30 minutes. Even the blaring horns of the bodas (motorcycles) down the mountain let me know that there were others doing important things. But here I was waiting, doing nothing, and that drives me crazy. Welcome to Tanzania. Welcome to the “Waiting Game”.
“How long, O Lord!” is a common cry in Scripture and in our everyday life. It is usually a desperate plea when we finally realize we are not in control of all things. Something as simple as waiting for a ride can drive one mad. In recent months we have been waiting for our work permits to come through but are told the system has been shut down for 6 months. The “Waiting Game” continues and life is once again disrupted.
Control and selfishness are close friends that rarely travel alone. When you lose control, selfishness usually chimes in and says you need to gain that control back. Sometimes, we do not even see this battle when we begin to lose control. The sin that lurks inside is difficult to see. And yet, thanks be to God! For He puts us in our place for the sake of repentance and for the sake of our salvation!
You probably remember when the Lord asked Pharaoh, “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me” (Exodus 10:3)? He asked Moses something similar saying, “How long” would Israel despise Him while wandering in the wilderness. These two situations probably warranted some complaining, but what was really happening was the loss of control. The Lord, asks you and I the same. Through the Word and the prodding of the Holy Spirit we are eventually led to ask ourselves “how long”. How long will we reject the God of all Creation because we have lost control and placed into the Waiting Game?
The beautiful thing about waiting is that our Heavenly Father wants us to do something in the midst of the waiting. In the “waiting” times of life we are able to turn God’s Word toward Him. We can cry before God using His very Word for He hears us. In faith, we are able to complain, “How long will You hide Your face from me” (Psalm 13:1b). In faith, we are able to be bold and set His promises before Him. When it looks as if the Lord has forgotten, we are able to moan for we know who He is through Christ. Our God is the one who waited for the perfect time to save us through His Son, Jesus. Christ Himself waited for the perfect time to be crucified, and to be risen. Our Lord is still patient and waits. He waits so that one more person may come to believe in Him before He returns on that Glorious Day.
Therefore, during those “waiting” times we trust in God’s steadfast love for we know that our heart will rejoice in our salvation. We turn our complaints into song for we are given a reason to sing and chirp with all of God’s creation. He has certainly dealt bountifully with us.
In Christ Alone,
Rev. Michael Hageman
