The Wait

This morning I was helping lead worship for the youth group at my church. During practice, one of the ladies asked a question, "What does it mean to wait and be silent? How do you do that?"

Interesting question.

I am reminded of the disciples. After Jesus has risen and spends 40 days teaching them, they are still caught in worry, doubt. So, Jesus tells them to "wait". Or in his exact words, "Don't leave Jerusalem yet. Wait here for the Father to give you the Holy Spirit, just as I told you he has promised to do." (Acts 1:4)

So they do. The disciples went upstairs to a room of the house where they were staying, and they waited. They prayed. They waited and prayed for 10 days. The disciples didn't know how long they were to wait. They didn't know what was going to happen...if anything at all. I'm sure they could have found many reasons to leave. But they waited. They followed Christ's instruction.

And after 10 days, it came. The Holy Spirit filled the house. They were empowered. All because they waited on the Lord.

We're so reluctant to do what they did. Who has time wait? We have so much to do! But, it's important to understand: waiting doesn't mean inactivity, rather it means inHIMactivity! If you are waiting on a bus, you are watching for the bus. If you are waiting on God, you are watching for God, searching for God, hoping and trusting in God. Great promises come to those who do. "But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

One thing we need in our lives is to change our definition of prayer. Think of prayers less as an activity for God and more as an awareness of God. Seek to live in uninterrupted awareness. Acknowledge his presence everywhere you go.

-Kit