The Waiting Place

from Dan's Corner

You can get so confused

that you'll start in to race

down long wiggled roads at a breaknecking pace

and grind on for miles across wierdish wild space

headed, I fear, to a most useless place.

The Waiting Place. . . .

from "Oh, The Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss

People hate to wait. Today's society, with its ever advancing technology, is teaching people to live faster and faster. Any more, waiting for anything is considered a bane on one's existence.

I have come to disagree with the good Dr. Seuss' estimate of waiting, especially if it is God that you're waiting upon. The Most High has promised His children many things -- answers to tough situations; gifts, spiritual and otherwise. However God doesn't necessarily send those answers via e-mail. And those gifts seldom show up on the UPS truck. Most times there is waiting involved. More waiting than we might care to do. Let's remember that our God is always faithful. It's been said that "God may not be early, but He's never too late." When He promises something He will deliver.

I sometimes wonder how things would have turned out if the people in the Bible that God told to wait had lost patience and split. In the 24th chapter of Exodus, God calls Moses up to the mountain to receive His commandments. When Moses got up there, God had him wait for six days before He even spoke to him. What if Moses got bored and went back down the mountain? Things may be a lot different today. In the first chapter of Acts, Jesus tells his people to wait in Jerusalem and in a few days they would receive the gift His Father had promised. What if Peter and John and the others lost interest and took the gang from the upper room fishing? Things might be a lot different today. When the Lord has us wait for something, it's definitely worth the effort.

I have realized lately that I am in a waiting place. To what end, I'm really not sure. But, since I have been in this place, the Lord has been working on me, developing those traits I'll need for whatever He has for me on the other side of the waiting place. About two years ago a lady I know got a word from the Lord for me. This word was "He has many gifts for you." I was, of course, delighted to hear this. Then it was clarified that these gifts were going to be "spiritual

gifts" and I then became disappointed. At that period in my life I did not understand the implications of that promise. I would rather have had those things that the world puts value on. Financial gain, career success, etc. Since then, I have begun to realize the work that He has been doing in me. I have become very grateful for those things that are eternal, i.e. maturity in my Christian walk, healing emotional scars, better stewardship of the things I'm given.

I guess my whole point is to provide encouragement to those who are reading this that may feel stagnant -- who feel like they've hit the wall and they are not going anywhere with God. Don't look outside at your surroundings. My waiting place is not pretty on the outside. Ask the Lord to show you how He is working on the inside -- how He is working on your heart. It may be deep in your spirit where God's UPS truck is pulling up with a beautiful new gift.

Those who wait upon 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 faint. -- Isaiah 40:31

God accomplishes much while we wait on Him. When we get antsy, let's stop and remember that "it is not for us to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority." (Acts 1:7) And "Our times are in His hands." (Psalm 31:15) When we put our hand in Jesus' hand and let Him lead . . . . Oh, The Places We'll Go!


	The Waiting Place from Dan's Corner You can get so confused that you'll start in to race down long wiggled roads at a breaknecking pace and grind on for miles across wierdish wild space headed, I fear, to a most useless place. The Waiting Place. . . . from "Oh, The Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss People hate to wait. Today's society, with its ever advancing technology, is teaching people to live faster and faster. Any more, waiting for anything is considered a bane on one's existence. I have come to disagree with the good Dr. Seuss' estimate of waiting, especially if it is God that you're waiting upon. The Most High has promised His children many things -- answers to tough situations; gifts, spiritual and otherwise. However God doesn't necessarily send those answers via e-mail. And those gifts seldom show up on the UPS truck. Most times there is waiting involved. More waiting than we might care to do. Let's remember that our God is always faithful. It's been said that "God may not be early, but He's never too late." When He promises something He will deliver. I sometimes wonder how things would have turned out if the people in the Bible that God told to wait had lost patience and split. In the 24th chapter of Exodus, God calls Moses up to the mountain to receive His commandments. When Moses got up there, God had him wait for six days before He even spoke to him. What if Moses got bored and went back down the mountain? Things may be a lot different today. In the first chapter of Acts, Jesus tells his people to wait in Jerusalem and in a few days they would receive the gift His Father had promised. What if Peter and John and the others lost interest and took the gang from the upper room fishing? Things might be a lot different today. When the Lord has us wait for something, it's definitely worth the effort. I have realized lately that I am in a waiting place. To what end, I'm really not sure. But, since I have been in this place, the Lord has been working on me, developing those traits I'll need for whatever He has for me on the other side of the waiting place. About two years ago a lady I know got a word from the Lord for me. This word was "He has many gifts for you." I was, of course, delighted to hear this. Then it was clarified that these gifts were going to be "spiritual gifts" and I then became disappointed. At that period in my life I did not understand the implications of that promise. I would rather have had those things that the world puts value on. Financial gain, career success, etc. Since then, I have begun to realize the work that He has been doing in me. I have become very grateful for those things that are eternal, i.e. maturity in my Christian walk, healing emotional scars, better stewardship of the things I'm given. I guess my whole point is to provide encouragement to those who are reading this that may feel stagnant -- who feel like they've hit the wall and they are not going anywhere with God. Don't look outside at your surroundings. My waiting place is not pretty on the outside. Ask the Lord to show you how He is working on the inside -- how He is working on your heart. It may be deep in your spirit where God's UPS truck is pulling up with a beautiful new gift. Those who wait upon 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 faint. -- Isaiah 40:31 God accomplishes much while we wait on Him. When we get antsy, let's stop and remember that "it is not for us to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority." (Acts 1:7) And "Our times are in His hands." (Psalm 31:15) When we put our hand in Jesus' hand and let Him lead . . . . Oh, The Places We'll Go! Contact Us