As I wait

Martha Olawale

We’ve all been there—the unbearable long wait to get a paper signed or prayer answered. Waiting for the sea of traffic caused by a pothole or an accident we didn’t cause. No matter the time or place we experience waiting, it is just not fun. It makes the clock tick slower and wears out our patience.

I’ve had to wait for many things in my life and I can’t say I’ve enjoyed any of them. A few of those would be the nine months pregnancy wait for each of my children and the long years it took to have a college degree. I struggle with waiting and although I always get to the other side of the pain of it, each time I wait, it always feels it will never end.

I am presently in one of those waiting periods and find myself telling God what to do and what I believe He’s missing, neglecting the fact that He is all-knowing and kind. I allow worry to take the place of supplication as my mind brushes off His command in Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” God is ever faithful, yet I treat my situation like the first He’s ever dealt with in my life.

We are saved because Jesus waited. He started His journey as a baby and had to wait thirty-three years to fulfil His assignment. He chose a really long road to Calvary, just to die. Think about the agony of knowing why He was here, what He would go through to rescue us from our sins and how long He’ll have to wait to get the job done

Christ endured the wait because of the joy of seeing the cross become the symbol of salvation for the world (Hebrews 12:2). He understands when we pester Him about launching us to the next phase of life and He does not flinch at our tantrum to get us out of a messy situation.

God is a good Father and more than anything or anyone I know, He is mindful of His children. As you send your supplications in waiting, remember you are not alone. Rest in the assurance that He will never leave you. The Psalmist said in 46:1b, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Even in waiting, we are guaranteed His presence, so wait and in due time, you’ll get to the other side. Martha Olawale