Waiting

But they who wait for 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. 
–lsaiah 40:31 (RSV)

I’ve been learning a lot about waiting. I don’t like to wait, and I don’t wait very well. I’m the guy who cuts across the grass to get there faster. I watch for another check-stand to open and try to get there first. When I played baseball, I wouldn’t wait on the curve ball, and in track I’d jump the gun at the start.

My friend Don Springer taught me a good lesson about waiting. I love to snorkel. There is almost nothing I would rather do than swim in the clear blue waters of the world looking at tropical fish, coral, and the water underworld.

Don took me snorkeling in Napili Bay, Maui, Hawaii. Don is a retired fireman who also likes to snorkel. He drove me crazy. He couldn’t swim for six feet without stopping for minutes at a time.

But a funny thing happened when I would stop long enough to wait for Don. I saw more fish, more eels, more movements in the water than I had ever seen before in my life. Don taught me to stop, look, and listen in the water. Although I’ve snorkeled at Napili Bay before, I had never experienced Napili Bay until Don showed me how to wait.

It’s a good lesson for life. Maybe we should quit rushing around trying to find God. Maybe we should stop, look, listen, and wait. He’s here. He has something to reveal and say to you today.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What’s the message to you in Psalm 27:14?

2. In what areas of your life do you have a difficulty with waiting?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 40:1-3

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Jim Burns

Jim Burns is the president of HomeWord. He speaks to thousands of people around the world each year. He has close to 2 million resources in print in 20 languages. He primarily writes and speaks on the values of HomeWord, which are: Strong Marriages, Confident Parents, Empowered Kids, and Healthy Leaders. Some of his most popular books are: Confident Parenting, The Purity Code, Creating an Intimate Marriage, Closer, and Doing Life with Your Adult Children. Jim and his wife, Cathy, live in Southern California and have three grown daughters, Christy, Rebecca, and Heidi; three sons-in-law, Steve and Matt, and Andy; and three grandchildren, James, Charlotte and Huxley.

  • About HomeWord

    HomeWord helps families succeed by creating Biblical resources that build strong marriages, confident parents, empowered kids and healthy leaders. Founded by Jim Burns, HomeWord seeks to advance the work of God in the world by educating, equipping, and encouraging parents and churches. Learn More »

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