Waiting…it seems to be the theme of these past few weeks. Waiting to be picked up, waiting to be dropped off, waiting to find out what we’re supposed to be doing, waiting for a shower. Waiting can be extremely difficult. As a culture, we’re not accustomed to waiting for anything. Our culture has pushed the mindset onto us that if we’re waiting, it’s because something isn’t efficient and then it should be corrected, but this is exactly what Jesus does for us…He waits
A couple weeks ago I got to witness this in person. Our two teams that are partners in ministry this month are staying at Mission Ephrata in Cote d’ Ivoire. This is where we attend church and had the opportunity to see an Ivorian wedding. The wedding coincidentally happened right after the church service we attended and seemed to be extension of the service as we started with worship and praise. Shouts of “Merci Senor” echoed throughout the room. The family and groom entered and took their respective seats and we sang another song. Through the muddled confusion of translating between French and English we learned that the bride was not ready yet. Being on “African time” this seemed like a pretty normal occurrence, so we continued with the praise and worship. After a couple other songs we learned that the bride was still not yet ready, so we continued waiting. The groom sat quietly waiting. He sat in preparation for his bride who was coming to join His side.
This is such a beautiful picture of how the bridegroom waits for us.
Never in the Scriptures will you see Jesus forcing people to accept Him, He simply is who He is and allows people to come to Him in their time as He waits. It’s in the waiting that we see His unconditional love for us. We see His patience as He waits for us to come alongside Him as we grow and mature. As the bridegroom He is waiting for His bride.
My prayer is that our team and squad would be like Jesus and provide a space for waiting. That we would allow the Holy Spirit to start the work in each of us, not because we want something to change, but because we understand God’s perfect timing. That we would walk alongside our ministry partners and not feel the need to force our way of doing things on them. That we would love with grace and humility each person we are able to minister to, knowing that even if just a seed is planted, Jesus will be waiting for their response to know Him that He may pour His amazing love and grace on them.
Thank you for waiting on me Jesus. For not giving up on me when I had given up on myself. Prepare my heart to come to you as a bride ready to be with her groom for eternity.
“I am my beloved and He is mine.”
