“It is plain to anyone with eyes to see that at the present time all created life groans in a sort of universal travail. And it is plain, too, that we who have a foretaste of the Spirit are in a state of painful tension, while we wait for that redemption of our bodies which will mean that at last we have realised our full sonship in him. We were saved by this hope, but in our moments of impatience let us remember that hope always means waiting for something that we haven’t yet got. But if we hope for something we cannot see, then we must settle down to wait for it in patience.” (Romans 8:22-25 Phillips)
REFLECTION
Have you ever prayerfully mustered up extraordinary courage to work hard, prepare and present a proposal, which — if well received — could completely change the trajectory of your life, and the lives of others, for the better? I once did just that and found myself in that uncomfortable space between the exhilaration of taking action in faith (despite adversity and fear) and receiving a response. The waiting zone, where what I often say to encourage others gets thoroughly tested. What we do while we wait matters. We can choose to indulge in unhelpful distractions, worry and complain (all of which does no good at all) or we can wait well by prayerfully doing what needs to be done, while guarding our hearts with gratitude and patiently trusting the perfectly trustworthy One. Let’s choose the latter, for our merciful Maker knows what we truly need, when and why.
PRAYER POEM
LORD, I choose to praise You while I wait, for You know what I don’t and You are never wrong nor late. Help me to wait well, that I may have an encouraging testimony to tell.
In Jesus’ name, amen.