We live in a culture that is obsessed with instant gratification. We are conditioned to want the world, and to want it now. We tap our foot with impatience as we wait in line at the fast food drive through, despite the fact that we don’t even have to get out of our car to get food anymore. If someone is driving “too slowly” on the freeway we flash our lights, give some gestures and then zip around in anger as though that person were interfering with some divine plan for us to get where we’re going in record time. Newspapers and “snail mail” are becoming obsolete as people get their news instantaneously online and send e-mails, instant messages and texts in lieu of hand written mail.
So, what’s the deal? Have we lost something in this sea of instant gratification?
I’ve had a lot on my mind the past few days. During this this Lenten season I’ve experienced some of the joys of living at a more relaxed pace of life, and have gained quite an appreciation for some of those things that you just can’t get in an instant. There are just some things that an instant won’t bring – things for which we must wait.
We don’t like to wait. We’re conditioned to think that we’re somehow entitled to not have to wait.
You know what, though? God wants us to wait. He wants us to learn to wait.
Tonight, as we were studying Luke-Acts in my New Testament class, Dr. Myers pointed out a brilliang juxtaposition. At the end of Luke, Jesus gives some clear instructions to his disciples before ascending into heaven. He says:
“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)
At the beginning of Acts, we are given another account of the ascension with similar instructions from Jesus to his disciples. He says:
“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about… It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerualem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:4, 7-8)
In both of these cases, Jesus final instructions to the disciples before he ascends into heaven are not to go, but rather to wait.
So, what’s all this waiting about? What’s the use in waiting around for something?
Like I said before: There are just some things that an instant won’t bring – things for which we must wait.
I’ve got more thoughts on this topic, but before I share my thoughts, I want to know what you (you know, my four faithful readers) think about this topic. What are the things that you have to wait for? Is it worth the wait?
While you’re thinking about it, check out this song by Brandon Heath called “Wait and See”:
Erin,
The waiting for God time is such a great thing to reflect on during Lent. In a Joyce Meyers cd I listened to a few weeks ago – she spoke of the waiting time and how hard it is for us to wait for anything anymore in our instant world of email, im, etc – much like what you pointed out Erin! Joyce went on to say that the waiting time really needs to be a “spending time with God time” – and we should remember to look at it that way and that it is such an awesome thing that God wants to spend time with us! I wish I could remember the scripture verses she gave – I was in my car so I wasn’t taking notes. The cd was from her ‘wings like eagles” or something like that -I’ll look it up!
In my education vision series last month I used the Facing the Giants movie clip where the preacher tells the coach to prepare his fields, and that God will send the rain when He is ready. That is so powerful – and I really tried to hit it home that we HAVE to prepare education ministry NOW. It’s our job to be prepared to minister to the people that GOD will SEND us when HE is ready! Growth will happen if we are true to the calling- and in HIS time, not ours. Powerful stuff!
Peace, Jo
P.S.
If I haven’t told you lately – you rock girl! : )
Humans are almost “hard-wired” NOT to wait! From birth we are conditioned to believe that the louder we scream, the quicker the response. What a blessing it is to learn to wait. It’s difficult, it’s mind boggling, it’s spiritual, it’s worth every effort. Backsliding is so easy (at least for me) and happens daily — sometimes multiple times in a day! Thank you for the reminder of how important it is to nurture a spirit of waiting and the eternal effect it has.
Blessings,
Laurie