In His Time

When was the last time you found yourself at the doctor’s office in the waiting room or in line at the grocery store, feeling impatient? This is a common occurrence for most of us and something that will happen throughout our entire life. So why does this feeling of being “antsy” happen when we are being forced to wait? I think it would be beneficial to look at where the word antsy comes from, and its definition. The word antsy means, “restlessly impatient,” and according to the etymology dictionary by Merriam-Webster, the word is actually the plural form of the word “ant.” The ant is one of the most prepared, resilient, diligent, and hard-working creatures on the planet, hence the reason that the writer of Proverbs notes them in his admonishment to sluggards, those who are habitually lazy. (Proverbs 6:6-8) But when we find our spirit continually rushed, hurried, and impatient, even while we are working, this is a red flag.

I will be the first to admit that I have spent far too many days bowing my knees to the idols of productivity and perfectionism, due to a fear of man, trying to advance work the Lord has given me to do at lightning fast pace, through over-work, or trying to fulfill something that only the body of Christ was meant to fill. I have only myself to blame for this of course, but I also see that we currently live in a day and age where there is little to no balance of life. There are those who work themselves into the ground, we often refer to them as workaholics, defined by their performance and accolades. They live to work. I have been in conversation with many of these types and a recurring trait is that they feel that others are not as capable, willing, or as skilled as they are, so they feel the need to be the ones to fulfill every duty and obligation that is sent their way. Then there are those who are perpetually idle, despising doing any kind of work. The majority of their time is spent meandering about their lives with no motivation or purpose, living to receive from others. Both of these personalities still have a common temptation though, a “antsy,” hurried, restless, and impatient spirit within them. This is something that we are all subject and tempted by almost every hour of the day, but in God’s Kingdom, there is no place for it. We can see the heart of someone who had this kind of spirit alive and well within her in Luke 10:40, “But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” Martha essentially accused Mary of having a sluggish and lazy spirit within her, which was certainly not the case. Jesus’ correction of Martha is something that we all need to take heed of, “And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

There are many times in life when we are tempted and maybe even urged by peers or good-willed people to be rushed or hurried; worse yet, pushed into things that we know full-well by the Spirit of God within us that we are not created or called to do. Whatever the case, one of the most beneficial things we can do as directed in Scripture is to wait, and to wait upon the Lord. There is a verse in Isaiah that has brought me much solace this past month, “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.” (Isaiah 64:4) Here are some great verses from the Psalms that exhort us to wait on Him: 25:21, 27:14, 33:30, 59:9, & 130:5. There is also one verse that I see really speaks to the posture of how we should wait on Him, especially for those who may be hurried and impatient by nature. David writes in Psalm 62:1, “Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation.” It is necessary to close our mouths, and focus our minds eye wholly on Him, expectantly. That is why the winter is such a wonderful reminder that at times, we must slow down, and wait on God. David acknowledges here at the beginning of this song that his soul is waiting on the Lord, but notice just a few verses later what happens, after a musical interlude (Selah) in verse five. He has to speak, or in this case sing to his soul and remind himself to wait on God alone. He acknowledges that his expectation will come from his God. It is almost as if his soul, in the process of waiting, became impatient, and he had to remind his soul to wait. I find this to be a common occurrence for me in prayer and waiting for the Lord. We live in a culture of instant gratification and when things are not done quickly enough, according to our timeline, we are tempted to snap. But all throughout the Bible we are exhorted and reminded that waiting upon the Lord, whether that be for His salvation through a circumstance, a request for healing, or any other petition, whatever it may be, we need to cultivate a heart, soul, and mind, that waits for Him. And the best part is, when we do, He will act for us (Is. 64:4). So decide today, to let the restless, anxious, hurried, and impatient spirit that may present itself within you to be a thing of the past. Allow Jesus to be your all in all, and wait for His best; His perfect will and timing is what we need.

“I Wait For The Lord” by Scott Cunningham

Placing my trust in You, placing my hope in You

I wait for You Lord

Placing my trust in You, placing my dreams in You

I wait for You Lord

By Mark Anderson

February 2023