THE WAITING ROOM

Story

We took over the waiting room, which held about twenty people. There was a coffee table of old magazines that no one seemed interested in reading and an old TV that played soap operas around the clock. The room was dull and drab, with light blue walls and soiled, mismatched chairs. There were no windows because it was in the middle of the hospital. You could tell this room was not built for a long-term stay, but the condition of the room did not faze me. I escaped by meditating on another picture. I knew I had to make some changes to make this space more accommodating for myself and other visitors. So, I would get there early in the morning and set up shop. I took over the room and when people came in that were not a part of my family, they knew they had entered into my space. Others in my family would trickle in throughout the day to keep me company. My sister Darnice was my sidekick, right there by my side day in and day out. I thank God daily for her. She made sure I was always taken care of, along with the Smiths. My brother-in-law Dwight would bring a cooler full of sodas and junk food like we were at a cookout. I was in school getting my master’s degree in Human Services when Mike got sick, so I had to do my homework while I waited. I would bring my books, study, and write papers right there in the waiting room. People asked me if it was hard to focus. Yes, but not because my husband was in an induced coma. It was hard for me to focus because I was busy ministering to everyone that came into the room.

Lesson

Let us look at Isaiah 40:31 at the word “wait.” It reads, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength….” There are many definitions of wait, and I believe this does not mean sitting around and doing nothing. When I think of the word “wait,” I often think of a waitress, waiting or serving tables. This analogy reminds me that waiting is not merely about a pause in time-it is about serving. Please take a look at Ephesians 6:13 when it tells us to stand after we have done all. Faith without putting in the work will not produce fruit. When you take your attention off of yourself and put it on others, you will be surprised one day when you look up and see what you have been. We live in a self-seeking, attention-grabbing world, so we have to be intentional in serving others.

Do you get it? Waiting room. Serve others that come around you with whatever you can. Think of the waiting room as a place to receive hope. Sometimes, small things like buying lunch or passing someone a tissue box can bring hope for them. There is always someone in need of prayer, so identify them and get to work.

Faith Principle 

Wait with purpose. The key to waiting is waiting with purpose while you remain focused on God's Promise. Do not sit idly by watching the time pass as you are going through the process. If I can share anything about the art of waiting, I would say while waiting, stay in worship, pray, minister to yourself and others, empower yourself, and fellowship with the circle of soldiers fighting this battle with you.

Challenge 

Now rethink how you set up your "Waiting Room." As you wait for God's promises to manifest, make sure you are waiting with intention and expectation, and not waiting idly? Do you worship God, do you minister to yourself and others? Do you pray your way through and do things to empower yourself? Do you find it difficult to keep your focus during challenging times on God and what He is doing for you? It may be time to rearrange your waiting room.

Word Weapon 

"But those who wait on the Lord. Shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31