Waiting... still and "the call"

I hate waiting - always have. I drive in the fast lane, head for the self-checkout lane at the grocery store, call “single” at the ski lift in hopes of catching some other single at the front of the line, own an iPhone (so I can check email, weather, currency exchange rates & more any time of the day), will not purchase an “adequate” anything (computer, internet connection, car, power tools, etc.) because “adequate” usually means - to me - slow, underpowered, INadequate.

I know that I’m impatient and don’t wait well, so I’m very conscious when the Lord intentionally makes me wait that it must have some higher purpose.

I recently read a very short book by John Ortberg entitled, “Learning to Wait.” In it, he paraphrases a quote from another author (Ben Patterson?) and states, “What God does in us while we wait is as important as what we are waiting for.“

Holy cow is he right. The time of waiting, wondering, questioning, pondering, doubting, struggling and - sometimes - hoping, is intense.

I’ve been ”waiting“ for the past couple of months - ever since the Lord made it very clear that we were to pack up all of our belongings and head back to the USA.

Today, I had lunch with Dr. Jim & Shirley Cook, my first pastor and also the (former) president of the Bible College and Graduate school where I obtained my Bachelor’s (Pastor Studies) and Master’s (Sacred Theology)degrees. At 79 years of age, he is still traveling around the world preaching, teaching & training. What an inspiration.

During our conversation, Pastor Jim said that what has been lost in today’s churches & seminaries is ”the call of God“ on a person’s life. I agree. I think that we have so professionalized the ministry of the Kingdom of God that we have forgotten that it is the Holy Spirit, God, that calls us to His work. It is HE that energizes us, leads us, moves us and guides us!

So, as I ponder the truth of ”the call“ in the ”waiting room of God“ I ask myself, ”How do these work together?“

Don’t they seem to exist one in contrast to the other? I mean, if I know my calling, then how much waiting do I really have to do? And, while I’m waiting, isn’t it more or less simply a momentary rest, reprieve or shift from one task to another in the calling that He has given me.

I’m not opposed to waiting - especially if, as in our case, the Lord has made it clear that that is the role for now - but as with anything, it is possible to overdo it and end up forever ”waiting“ for the ”perfect will of God.“

Right?

So, the guard against that - in my mind - is to be diligent in prayer and have many others standing with us in that time of waiting. Would you pray with & for us during this time as we ”wait on the Lord“? Thanks.

Isaiah 40:28-31
”Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.“