Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Waiters Wait

Sunny took this lovely picture. The turtle is waiting....resting, and doesn't appear to be stressed out about getting supper together, cleaning up his (or her) shell, achieving a life goal, etc. etc. There's something to be said for that ability. Of course, some people have it to excess, but for those of us with the opposite leaning, we can ponder the tortoise.

God is the one who sends out, who calls, who gives assignments, opens doors of opportunity, shuts others, and I need to be content to wait on him. At one time in my life I had a ladies' Bible Study and we called ourselves "Ladies in Waiting," with that idea, of developing the quality of being a servant, listening for the assignment, or a waiter/waitress waiting; not coming up with whatever independently, and running with our own idea. Of course, the next step, that of doing what we're told, once we get the order - serving - can be the subject of another post. Though, it's a hard one in practice, being content to wait can be more difficult than doing something, anything.

For those interested, there are many scriptures on the subject. One of my favorites is Isaiah 40:31.
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Then, I always remind myself of Moses, out in the desert for 40 years, tending sheep, probably remembering his first 40 years as someone of importance in Egypt. He was most likely a serious contender to the throne, brought up to succeed Pharaoh. He was general of the Egyptian army, and successful in their conquest of Ethiopia, according to Josephus. Stephen also refers to him as "mighty in words and in deeds." Acts 7:22 He was known to the people as a royal personage, a military leader of distinction, recognized; then exiled, lost in obscurity and not doing anything great, or even close to it. He must have wondered if God had a purpose for him at all, or if he was forgotten or rejected by God. Certainly we know he developed humility, keeping faithful in the small things of his life. He was not thinking of glory any longer.

I think my conclusion is just to keep faithful while waiting, in the everyday, the mundane, small necessary things of life - and that is the key to moving on in what God has for me. (Matthew 25:23)Tending the sheep, busy at home (Titus 2:5), working to provide for ourselves and our families (1 Thessalonians 4:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-11) - so we can see the concept doesn't promote laziness. Hopefully, in the process I'll get more humility too.

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