Waiting and wanting - are not necessarily useless and empty periods of time. There is beauty to be held in the journey. My husband and I have shared good conversations while on the road. The joy of seeing different landscapes. And who doesn’t love eating out? Or checking out the various road signs pointing to local sights along the way as you are passing through this town and that one.The journey itself can be enjoyable if you let it. Oh, I’ve seen many a car speeding around us, cutting in, trying to get through a construction zone as quickly as possible. When we all know how unsafe that is but also it’s still going to be bumper to bumper traffic for awhile. They are just increasing their stress level. We all know the traffic will smooth out eventually. All that rushing and you miss the sight of a family of deer along the side of the road watching the traffic. You miss the light hitting the changing leaves in the fall. The bright morning sunshine making the snow glisten like diamonds. The rainbow in the sky. Dawn peeking through the trees… There is so much to see and experience in every moment. Don’t miss a single gift of pleasure by rushing to a preconceived future. Not when there is goodness from God already present.
In the same way, there are chapters in your life that feel like a long drive. And all you want is for it to be over. You can imagine in your mind how it will be and that’s where you want to be - right now. Surely God will be there to bless and to keep you upon arrival. But God is also on the road with you. And like traveling, you keep moving forward. Sometimes you’re moving along at the good clip. Other times you are barely rolling forward. But God is there. And He keeps things moving forward. You will get to your destination. And His destination for you is good! He can make the slow passage to it not a heavy, aching burden. But bless with beauty and goodness. He wants you to live in the present with Him. Knowing He has the destination in mind. Knowing He will get you there.
My mom was always telling me to not wish my life away and I think this is what she meant. Love yourself and your life right now. If something is a challenge, it won’t be a challenge forever. And in the meantime, God will use it to open your eyes to other blessings. Blessings you would not see or acknowledge because of your sole focus on some future dream life.
Life is a road trip. There’s open road, winding curves and sharp turns. Detours and construction. Stops and starts. Whatever your personal challenge(s) right now -it will all come and go. This too shall pass. Right? But the presence of the Lord, the goodness of the Lord - is in your life, every chapter, forever.
So do not be afraid. Do not be anxious about anything. Your life will surely ebb and flow, ebb and flow. I’m sure Noah wondered. I’m sure Job wondered. Pick any biblical character… I bet they wondered, just like you… how long O Lord. How long?
The words, “now it came to pass” is found in the King James Bible 198 times. That should be plenty of assurance that whatever you are going through - you will get through.
You may not enjoy every stretch of life’s road, but you can be assured the Lord will see you through. There will be strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow - for those who put their trust in Him. May you be at rest and peace in this assurance. With God, you can still have great expectations!
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