Wait for it... wait for it...

Do you ever stop and think about how much of our lives are spent just waiting?  It's actually kind of depressing, so I wouldn't recommend it as a regular pastime.  But contemplating stop lights, drive thru lines, slow web pages and procrastinating bloggers once in a while does give you some perspective.  And perspective is what I think we need when it comes to God's plan for the universe that spans all of history and includes this tiny speck of time we inhabit called "now."

After blowing Habakkuk's mind with the idea that He would use the Babylonians to judge His chosen people, God reassured the perplexed prophet by declaring judgement also upon Babylon.  "But," He said, "the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3)

Often I find myself wishing God would hurry up.  It's tough to wait.  But I can also look back at many times in my life when, if God had been on my timetable, I would not have been in His perfect will.  So I'm trying to learn to wait for it.

The new Testament picks up this theme and gives us another reason to be glad God sticks to His own schedule.  Rebuffing those who scoffed at Jesus' promise to return because He hadn't done so within a few decades, Peter said, "Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:8-9)

So I guess we have a few things to occupy our time while we wait in the checkout line or for God to show us the next big step in out lives.  Actively believe that God DOES have a plan and that His timing IS best.  Do what you can to move forward in life… but don't run ahead of God!  And along the way, try to bring a few people with you.  God is waiting – in the big picture – for people to come to faith in Him.  And He may be waiting – in your specific circumstance – for you impact those around you here and NOW!