Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalms 27:14 NIV

WAIT: to stay in place in expectation of; to be ready and available. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, August 24, 2021

When you pull up to McDonald’s and there are 10 – 12 cars in line at the drive thru, do you pull in and wait? Do you drive on by and go to Burger King and hope their drive thru is not as busy? Our need for instant gratification has spoiled us and we do not want to wait.

Waiting is not a bad thing. For several years, I taught a class at the local community college. Not only did I teach the curriculum, but I tried to include tips on study skills. One suggestion I passed on to the students was to make flash cards and carry them with you. The material would be available to study when you found yourself waiting for a long train to pass, waiting in the doctor’s office or waiting for the kids at soccer practice.

LISTEN: to hear something with thoughtful attention; give consideration: to pay attention to sound. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, August 24, 2021

Sadly, I did not learn early in my life to listen for God, even though I thought I was listening. Being the impatient person that I am, I have had to work hard to be still and listen.

Sometimes, I would get so anxious and worked up “looking” for God’s answer that I would miss it. Psalms 37:7 says “Be still”. I would pray to God and tell Him what I needed or wanted. But I did not take the time to listen. Just like at McDonald’s, I would drive on over to Burger King instead of waiting.

STILL: calm; tranquil; subdued; devoid of or abstaining from motion. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, August 24, 2021

Learning to be still and listening is difficult. For that matter, learning to be still without an electronic device in your hand is difficult. Typing this, I realize how sad it is that I have to make such an effort to be still to listen to God. That should be a number one priority and be a natural occurrence rather than a task I have to concentrate on.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes Psalms 37:7

Everything is done in God’s timing, not mine.

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