Journey through the waiting road
Martha Olawale
“But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage.” Ezra 9:8
I recently went through a long, winding waiting road. One thing is for sure: it’s not fun walking it. The waiting road is always cloudy, and you can’t see what’s before you, so even if you only need one more step to reach its end, the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is blurry.
This time, each step along the path came with pain for me. I knew I had to keep moving, yet my weary heart told me I couldn’t. I often lay awake in the night, just praying for some relief from the mental strain of looking for that finish line that marks the end of my wait. My hope through it all came only from knowing who held my hands, and I found rest as I was wrapped in the arms of my Father.
Through that season, although long, God created rest areas along the path for me and got me laughing even when my situation said I shouldn’t. I had moments when something would happen, or I’d get some information to strengthen my resolve and fuel my empty tank. While those bright lights only lasted a few steps at a time through the long waiting road, they were a reminder of God’s faithfulness and His mindfulness of His dear child. They got me moving and replaced my unbelief with hope, and when that last curtain was pulled, and I saw the finish line, I slumped in God’s hands and just worshipped.
God understands the power of hope and always finds a way to sprinkle it in dire situations. When Ezra heard of the Israelites’ unfaithfulness in following God, when they were in exile, he was distressed. Ezra 1:9 says that he tore his tunic and cloak, pulled hair from his head and beard, and sat down appalled. It was a hopeless situation because not only were they in slavery, but they had also walked away from the laws of Moses, which separated them from other nations.
Knowing that their sins cost them their freedom, Ezra prayed to God and acknowledged how God gave them moments of rest despite their exile. He said in Ezra 1:8-9 “But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage. Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage.”
We all walk through the waiting road during different seasons of life; it’s painful, I know. However, as dear children of the Almighty God, He always finds a way to shed His light and break through the cloud on our path. He provides rest areas in moments we think we can’t take one more step and reminds us that He is with us. Although our hearts may be weary, with God, we can make it through the dark and thorny terrains to reach the end of the road. We serve the God who is too faithful to leave us hanging in the balance, and He can never fail.
