Speaker: Sis. Techie Rodriguez, Elder, The Lord's Flock Catholic Charismatic Community

" The Importance of Waiting for the Lord"

Time Is Very Important

Time is God-given. It is very important. It must be used to our advantage. It must be cultivated and not wasted. It must not be “killed” as the expression “killing time” implies. It must be used according to God's plan for us.

When we allow time to pass with a purpose, we are actually waiting. Waiting is not easy. Waiting is hard; it requires patience. Waiting for the Lord demands patience and trusting God. We should learn to wait for the Lord and to trust him.

Why It Is Wise To Wait for the Lord

To wait for the Lord is wise. There are five important reasons for us to do so. They are the following:

1. For Us To Receive God's Clear Direction for Our Life

We can consult God about anything. We can always seek God's clear direction for our life. Everything deserves God's attention when we talk to him, listen to him, wait for him. He has promised “Call on me and I will answer you.” (Jeremiah 33:3).

The Lord wants us to wait for his direction. We become wise when we wait for his direction. But how can we ascertain that it is really God's direction? The Holy Bible serves as our guide. The Word of God may not tell us the exact literal answer to our question but it will give us a clear direction. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.” (Psalms 119:105).

Being familiar with the Scriptures by studying the Holy Bible is important in discerning if what one hears is spiritual word of truth or only wisdom of the world. “Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.” (2 Timothy 2:15).

In seeking a clear direction from God, we should know how to consult the Bible properly. We should not go from page to page of the Bible trying to find the verses that suit our own desires. We might be acting like butterflies that go briefly from one flower to another. It is better to be like bees that stay long enough on the flowers to collect their nectar. When we study the Bible and read verses, let us faithfully seek the revelation of the word and its true meaning. Only then can we truly receive God's direction in our life.

2. For Us To Keep in Step with God's Timing

Often, what we want for ourselves is also what God wants for us. However, we are sometimes in a hurry and we do not wait for the right timing of the Lord.

Like a new piano whose beauty can only be appreciated until it is completely assembled and tested, we are still in the process of being made into the likeness of Jesus. And while we are being corrected and tested, we suffer pains. “At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11 ). Let us face trials and bear pains. Let us also face disappointment and disillusionment as we wait patiently. It is God's lessons through his tests for us that make our Christ-like character.

Let us keep in step with God's timing. Let us do what He is telling us to do. Let us do God's will according to his timing.

On many occasions, we spend and trade valuable time working for money; then we spend more time spending that money. Should we not spend more of our time for spiritual food that no money can buy? Instead of spending time extravagantly for worldly things that last only for a while, should we not spend more time with the Lord who has promised to give us whatever we ask of him? (John 15:7). Let us make sure to keep in step with God's timing. Let our steps be in stride with God's steps.

3) For Us To Prepare for God's Answer To Our Prayer

It is also important for us to wait for the Lord in order that we can prepare for his answer to our prayer. God, in his infinite wisdom, may tell us to wait. He may decide to prepare us first for his blessing or gift or for his move. He knows everything. He knows what is best for us! We trust that the Lord's timing is the best for us.

4) For Us To Strengthen Our Faith in God

When we wait for the Lord, our faith in him is strengthened. Biblical characters waited and strengthened their faith in God. Abraham waited 25 years for a son. Noah built the ark for 100 years. Mary waited for nine months to become the blessed virgin mother of Jesus.

5) For Us To Ask God To Sift Through Our Motives

When we wait, we get the time and the opportunity to ask God to sift through our desires and motives. Sometimes, our motives are wrong and selfish; in such cases, the Lord will not give us a positive reply to our prayer. We misconstrue this situation as lack of God's answer when in reality He has already given us “no” for an answer.

When God's answer seems to be delayed, let us watch out and check our personal desires and motives. When we do so, then our waiting for the Lord has not been in vain. We have been given time to make sure our motives are purified!

Beware of Shortcuts

Shortcuts are steps that save time and shorten the route or process. Some shortcuts are valid in saving time, effort, and money. Shortcuts, as a general rule, should be avoided.

Shortcuts should not be used in building character. The process of testing by God is a long one. Christian character cannot be built overnight by trials. Only patient bearing of the tests, not shortcuts, can produce successful results in a person's character.

We cannot use shortcuts when knowing spiritual truth. We need to take our time in seeking the truth more deeply. There are no shortcuts in listening to the Word of God. We must spend time reading and studying the Bible. The “seed” (word) has to be planted and cultivated on “rich soil.” (Matthew 13:8). The “house” has to be built by the wise man on “rock” and not on “sand” (The Two Foundations - Matthew 7:24-27).

In our community, we do not use shortcuts. Our Lord's Flock Harvest Formation and Discipleship programs, for example, are not shortcuts. Their development took many years. They are like small mustard seeds that took a long time to become big trees.

There are no shortcuts in solving life's problems. There are also no shortcuts in having good health and wealth. It is dangerous and foolhardy to use shortcuts. It is wise to trust and wait for the Lord!