Lisa Harper, an author focusing on faith, joins advocacy powerhouse Christine Caine and lighthearted spirituality writer Susie Crosby. They dive into the concept of waiting, presenting it as an active and hopeful practice. Humorously contrasting Type A impatience, they share personal anecdotes that redefine waiting as a transformative experience. The discussion highlights biblical examples, such as the courageous midwives Shifra and Puwa, showcasing how spiritual growth can thrive amidst trials, all while embracing the beauty of expectant hope.
Active waiting is portrayed as a dynamic process that cultivates patience and deepens one's relationship with God, rather than mere inactivity.
Biblical examples like Naaman and the midwives illustrate that obedience during waiting periods can lead to transformation and divine miracles.
Believers are encouraged to maintain a posture of expectant hope, recognizing that God’s timing may differ from human expectations but ultimately serves a greater purpose.
Deep dives
The Art of Waiting
Practicing the art of waiting involves learning to embrace an active posture of expectant hope rather than expecting inactivity. Biblical waiting is depicted as dynamic and forward-looking, contrasting starkly with the notion of stagnation. When God's people waited, they were engaged with a trust-focused mindset, fully aware that waiting is often a part of God's redemptive plan for their lives. This waiting period is crucial as it cultivates patience and deepens one’s relationship with God.
Expectancy and Trust in God's Timing
For believers, waiting is less about mere passivity and more about fostering an attitude of trust towards God’s timing. Often, God's timetable doesn't align with human expectations, yet His plans are perfect. By waiting with expectation, individuals are encouraged to cultivate a sense of peace and contentment, recognizing that God is always working for their good. The practice of waiting allows individuals to deepen their understanding of God’s character and involvement in their lives.
Active Waiting Illustrated through Scripture
Numerous biblical passages highlight the concept of active waiting as a vital part of spiritual maturity. For example, the waiting moments in Scripture depict the faithful looking ahead for God's intervention and presence, such as in the parable of the bridesmaids. The narrative emphasizes that while all the bridesmaids waited, five were prepared with oil in their lamps, symbolizing readiness for God's timing. This active readiness exemplifies how waiting involves being prepared and expectant for divine encounters.
Learning from Biblical Examples
The stories of figures like Naaman and the midwives Shifra and Puwa showcase the virtues of obedience and faithfulness during waiting periods. Naaman, seeking healing, had to endure a process that included humility and obedience to wash in a less-than-ideal river. Meanwhile, the midwives chose to defy Pharaoh, choosing faith over fear, illustrating that obedience to God during challenging times leads to unseen rewards and future miracles. Both stories serve as reminders of God's faithfulness to those who trust and actively wait.
The Importance of Presence During Waiting
Active waiting entails fully engaging in the present while holding on to the hope of future fulfillment. The waiting experience is enriched by a commitment to be present with God, as He continues to work in and through individuals each day. Noticing the subtleties of God's presence and action while waiting fosters faith and deepens understanding of His promises. Throughout the waiting process, believers are encouraged to remain steadfast and to experience transformation in their faith as they navigate life’s complexities.
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During today’s conversation on Back Porch Theology Alli and I are delving into a facet of Christoformity – that is being shaped like Jesus – which doesn’t come naturally to either one of us and that is the art of waiting. Now if your wiring tends to be more high-speed like ours and you’re prone to cram a week’s worth of work on your daily to-do lists, please don’t skip out on this episode because not only can I promise it’s going to be a shame-free zone, I can also promise this conversation is jam-packed with encouragement and practical theology about pacing because the biblical context of waiting rarely refers to a complete cessation of activity. In other words, when God’s people waited in biblical narrative it wasn’t remotely stagnant or boring. In fact, both the Old Testament canon and the New Testament canon align the concept of waiting on God with the active posture of expectant hope. There’s a huge difference between spiritual stillness and a lethargic lifestyle, y’all! For Christ-followers waiting is less about drumming our fingers with impatience while we wait on someone who’s running late and more about our souls sighing with contentment and trust as we wait for our Creator Redeemer whose timing may not always match our expectations yet is always perfect! Increasing our capacity to wait on God is congruent with an increased confidence that He's always in the process of redeeming our inherent dignity as imago Dei; He’s always in the process of mitigating the evil that wounds and corrupts humanity; and He’s always in the process of decreasing the gap between the here and now and the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. So please grab a cup of decaf and your Bible, push any mental distractions to the edge of your mind, then take a seat on the porch next to us, prop your feet up and exhale – I have a feeling Holy Spirit’s going to take a load off lots of us today.