Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
I love lists. I take great pleasure of writing to-do-lists, accomplishing the tasks, and then crossing them off as I complete each one! There are still opportunities on the Race for me to make lists. The lists I write nowadays are much different from back home. My current list includes: 1. Write a blog 2. Post pictures on facebook 3. Facetime friends and family 4. Buy groceries before leaving for Latvia 5. Complete postcards 6. Finish resume 7. Send in application for a job
Before I left for the World Race, I ALWAYS had a ton of things to do on my list(s)! I would take pride in how efficient I could be, especially when multitasking! I could bear my heart and soul to a friend on the phone while cleaning my house at the same time!
A huge pet peeve of mine is idleness. I like to be on the go, moving. I find it challenging to sit and have a day “off” without actually doing something.
One thing I have been challenged to do on the Race time and time again is to…wait.
You see, the rest of the world doesn’t function on the strict time-table that Americans do. Most of the time things take…time.
I have learned that in Africa, if my ministry contact says 9:00, what he means is any time between 9:01 and 9:59.
I have had many long bus rides (from Nairobi, Kenya to Morogoro, Tanzania, it takes 12 hours!) teaching me to be patient and appreciate the time to think and reflect and process.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Psalm 130:6
Just recently, I was given some feedback from my Squad Leader, Alyssa. She encouraged me, “Christina, when I saw you this morning doing laundry, I thought to myself that you are an example of a Proverbs 31 woman. You have strength and dignity as your clothing. I want to encourage you to wait patiently before the Lord as you spend time with Him. Press into your time with Him.”
Just that morning, I had finished up my quiet time with the Lord, and still desired more of Him, but I had things to do. Laundry, for one! Those clothes won’t wash themselves without a washing machine!
As I reflect on the verses from Psalm 130, I ask myself, “Do I honestly wait for the Lord as a watchmen waits for the morning?” That phrase was stated twice, which means something significant. If words are repeated more than once in a passage of Scripture, the purpose is to get our attention!
I tried to imagine myself being a watchwoman in the evening. Hmmmm…probably wouldn’t work out so well for me, because I am a morning person and can fall asleep anywhere, anytime when tired! But, if I were a watchwoman, a guard at night, I would look forward with great anticipation to the morning! That morning means rest!
I thought of my sister, Charissa, who is doing night shifts as she is in her final semester of nursing college. She told me when her shift is done, she is usually a bit wound up, but will eventually crash with exhaustion.
I am learning to wait, to be patient, to rest, in the presence of the Almighty One. It isn’t always easy. Usually my time is interrupted by my mental to-do-list. I have to focus back in to the One who will give me the strength and time to accomplish all I need to that day. I need to get charged up for what He has in store for me!
I want to conclude with my most recent favorite verse.
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are al who wait on Him! Isaiah 30:18
