I was an avid fan of pop music in the 70’s and early 80’s. I am not sure if anyone of a certain age group remembers the song ,’ The Waiting ‘ by an American rock band Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers in 1981.
The lyrics go like this:
‘ The waiting is the hardest part
Everyday you see one more card
You take on faith, you take it to heart,
The waiting is the hardest part.’
Yes indeed, ‘ the waiting is the hardest part’! Who enjoys waiting? I don’t.
Waiting is an inevitable part of our lives. We have no control over it. There is uncertainty in waiting . It requires patience and the ability to cope doesn’t it ? At times the stress and anxiety levels creep up and make us weary.
Of course waiting can be quite exciting too, especially if you are waiting for something nice to happen, a special event in your life like your wedding day , birthdays etc. You may be an expectant mother ( parents ) waiting for the arrival of your baby.
Students wait with mixed feelings of dread and anticipation for their exam results, or for a job application.
At this time of the year , many holidaymakers look forward to the long awaited summer holiday getaway, with traffic jams and long waits at the airports thrown in for good measure.
‘ Waiting can be hardest part ‘ too ,when some of us wait for medical tests , the results , followed by treatment or surgery if needed.
There is another aspect of waiting ,that is waiting on God , which is praying and waiting expectantly for God to answer our prayers. The answer may not be immediate, and it can certainly test our patience, but we wait in hope trusting God because He is faithful. He gives us wisdom to think through and not rush , before we take action or make any decision.
The prophet Isaiah says . ” 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 chapter 40 v. 31. NKJV )
Sundari Nagamuthu
King’s Lynn Christian Fellowship