Wait!

One day while in my office, I took a little stretch break from my computer.  As I glanced around the room I spotted a spider on its web in the corner.  I’m not squeamish and was happy to let it have some space.  After all, maybe it could reduce the insect population around my desk.    Nonetheless, I kept my eye on it each day.

Days went by and the spider was still in the same spot.  Day in and day out, it never moved.  It would simply wait for some bug to climb into its web to become lunch.  After many days of waiting without reward, the spider died, from starvation no doubt.  This made me reflect on my own life. 

I was in the midst of trying times, as my business was slow and income was diminishing.  Was I just waiting for God to provide?  Was there something I was supposed to be doing besides praying? After all, James tells us in James 2:26b, that “…faith without works is dead.” 

But, there are many other passages, such as Psalm 27:14, that tell us to “Wait on the Lord…”  Ok.  Now it was getting more complicated.  What if I was praying and asking the Lord for something, and I don’t wait long enough?  How will I know when I’ve waited long enough?  Will I be like that spider and die waiting?  Am I supposed to get up and go out and look for an answer?  My mind was reeling.

But then a quick Bible search revealed this in Lamentations 3:25:  “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” (NKJV).  Obviously we are commanded to wait for the Lord’s leading.  There are numerous other verses that reinforce this.  But when was I supposed to act?

Well, here’s a chapter from my life that I feel shows what active waiting looks like.  Years ago, I held a job in a large corporation, and for reasons I won’t go into, I was looking to leave.  I committed to sending out 1-2 resumes per week, so that I could leave the company as soon as possible, (at least in my mind).  For 2 years I kept to this commitment.  Week after week, I searched job postings, submitted resumes and cover letters, and completed application forms.  In return I received many form letters, which almost always started the same way, “Thank you for your interest in ABC Company.  Your resume is currently under review…”  These led to some interviews during that time, but only one company was interested in hiring me. 

The potential job paid about the same as what I was currently earning, but there would be full benefits and a company car.   Was this a dream job or what!?  I was desperate to leave my company and the prospective benefits were certainly tempting, but when I contemplated the offer, I had to say “no”.  It was far from easy.  But after prayerful consideration, the Lord showed me how bored I would be at this job, as it would be doing the same thing over and over.  I would most likely have left within a short time. 

Another year of job searches, sending resumes and application forms went by.  I was getting even more desperate.  I applied to jobs as far away as Antarctica; yes, that place.  Then, finally, a break through came.  Or perhaps a “break out” would be a better phrase.  A company just a few miles away offered me a position with the same benefits and an increase in salary. I accepted.

Through all this, I could have simply waited for the Lord to bring me a job and not sent out dozens of resumes.  But I don’t believe I would have ever found that next job.  Proverbs 13:4 states: “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.”  (NKJV) Certainly, the Lord could have had someone contact me and offer me a job, but that certainly isn’t the norm, especially if I had just been lazy and smugly surmised that the Lord will give me a job.

Contrast my experience with that of George Mueller, a 19th century man of faith born in Germany and a resident of England.   Mr. Mueller was a man who waited on the Lord and the Lord miraculous provided for him.  Mr. Mueller’s premise was that he never asked individuals for money; he would explain his mission, then simply pray about the need and wait for the Lord to answer.  In his autobiography he describes how one such need was met when a friend living in India sent money to him for his orphanage.  The money was needed by a certain date.  As that date approached, there was little sign of money coming in to meet the need.  But on the very day the money was due, a letter from India arrived in the post with the exact amount of money needed for the bill.  It had been sent 6 months prior and arrived within hours of the deadline. 

Mr. Mueller’s waiting, was not inactive.  He didn’t pray and then wait with smug confidence that God would grant him his every wish.  Instead, he was in constant petition to the Lord and waited with confident faith.  Mr. Mueller’s expectation was that God would provide, and He did.  George Mueller built several orphanages and numerous schools for children.  It is estimated that he affected the lives of over 120,000 children.

Are you asking the Lord to answer a prayer?  Maybe it’s for a job, a spouse, a ministry, or an education.  Are you actively waiting or waiting with smug confidence?  Do you petition the Lord with prayer and diligence or simply pray once and wait?