Waiting

By Capazin Thornton

 

The other day I was talking to a lady who made a statement, “I’m just waiting on the Lord.” I began to think that too often people sit back and do nothing while expecting something dramatic to happen to change their circumstances. They keep on waiting… “waiting for the world to change.”

Whether regarding natural or spiritual things, waiting does not mean inertia.

Take action for change

If you need a dentist, but you never make an appointment to see a dentist, you cannot expect the condition of your teeth to change. You must take action for change. You have to make the appointment. If you have a 9:00 a.m. appointment, you have to get up early. Wash your face, brush your teeth, floss, and gargle with Listerine. Shower, get dressed, get in your car, and drive to the dentist’s office.

In the waiting room

While in the waiting room, find a comfy chair. Fill out the necessary paperwork. Then, pick out a good magazine or make a selection from your IPAD and read something encouraging. Soon you’ll be in the dentist’s chair. Maybe you’ll have to endure a pin prick or two. In the end, you’ll thank the dentist for improving the condition of your teeth and giving you something to smile about.

Waiting for a job

Suppose you are waiting for a job or business opportunity. What do you do? Get prepared. Update your resume. Take a class in resume writing if you need to.

Learn something in your field of interest that will help you be better prepared for job opportunities. Get retrained if necessary. Network online and in person with people of like interests.

I recently completed two weeks of training in intermediate and advanced Microsoft Word. Though I use this software every day and have for years, I learned some new things to help me be more proficient. I also met some nice people. We exchanged ideas and business cards.

Waiting on the Lord

As a matter of course, I get up early. Don’t care what day of the week it is or where in the world I am. I like to get up early and spend at least an hour in prayer. During this time, I am waiting on the Lord.

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” — Isaiah 40:31

Wait is translated from the Hebrew qavah ((kä·vä’) and means to expect, to await, to look eagerly for, to hope, to twist, to bind fast, tie to, to intertwine together like a tightly twisted rope.

So, I wait on the Lord in several ways:

1. I start by ministering to the Lord. I thank and praise Him for all that He has given me. Soon I find myself intertwined with the Joy of Heaven.
2. I declare promises from the Word. By declaring God’s Word I am sowing good seeds into the day before me.
3. I keep a confident expectation in God. I know God is always working for my greatest benefit and His ultimate glory.

The result is I am strengthened, soaring like an eagle, ready for the day.

Expectation while waiting

After prayer, I exercise a bit (a little bit), take a shower, put on makeup, and get dressed. Whether I have anything scheduled or not! This helps me to keep an air of expectation and be ready should a door of opportunity open that I need to respond to quickly.

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Whether a natural or spiritual matter, do all that wisdom and prudence demands. Then, having done all, stand with confidence that your breakthrough is coming.

What ideas do you have to help improve people’s waiting time? Feel free to post your comments.

Capazin Thornton is a Christian speaker and author in Orange County, California.