Barriers to Callingনমুনা

Calling and Impatience

"Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope. Hope now; hope always!" sing the pilgrims in Psalm 131:3 (MSG) as they embark on the long and arduous journey to Jerusalem. It is not easy to wait—to wait our turn, to wait in life, to watch others go ahead of us. This is especially true when we sense that there is so much more in us and for us and that we have more to offer. Pride tries to make things happen; humility waits. Humility trusts God. It requires faith that if we don’t push ourselves forward, God will release us in His time and in His way. 

This sort of waiting is far from passive. It is often charged with frustration and longing. But in it we discover more of our identity and calling. Waiting is transformative. In the hiddenness and surrender, God is working for our good. Peter writes, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6–7). 

As part of our journey, Psalm 131 can become a chant, as we join in with the declarations of pilgrims who have gone before us. As we live in the tension, we wait for God—His timing, his green light. We wait with hope—hope now; hope always! And if we dare to keep waiting, the destination we thought was on the other side, at the end of the journey is, in reality, right beside us: God with us, alongside us and for us.

Questions

Waiting in life is inevitable. What do you feel you are waiting for right now? How have you actively engaged in your waiting? How can you make the most of this season?

Prayer

Lord God, help me to wait patiently for you, to learn what you are teaching me where I am and to trust your timing for the things to which you are calling me. Amen