Worth the Wait and A New MUST READ BOOK!
What comes to your mind when you hear the word “wait”? Things like the DMV or images of long lines, thoughts regarding time being wasted or feelings of frustration are all common responses. Regardless of your perspective on the matter, I am certain that we can all agree; waiting is hard.
For me, waiting has been a great source of mental health struggles with anxiety and depression. I know all too well that waiting is hard and that the anticipation of potentially bad news can be crippling. In seasons of waiting I have often failed to remember or fully grasp the gospel truth that we have a sovereign God that is loving and caring and that absolutely nothing happens outside of his good and perfect will. (Rom 8:28) Brothers and sisters, let me remind you today that there is great hope for us!
WAITING ISN’T A WASTE
In his new and thought provoking book, “Waiting Isn’t A Waste”, Author and pastor Mark Vroegop makes a profound statement, “Learn to live on what you know to be true about God when you don’t know what is true about your life.” When waiting on something or someone, it can often be a disorienting and confusing experience that clearly exposes where one’s real hope lies. Vroegop states that this can be a good or bad thing, but regardless, it is usually very hard. And let’s face it, we don’t like hard things. We go to great lengths to avoid uncertainty, delays, disappointment, pain or powerlessness. Vroegop says that all of these reveal our true hearts. Our reactions to these hard things can show us where we have ultimately placed our trust and our hope. Be honest with yourself, is it in Jesus? Do you usually think that waiting is really just a waste of time? Do you ever wonder if God has a purpose for seasons of waiting?
Vroegop’s book helps us see that waiting is crucial to the Christian life. That God indeed has a purpose for it. Waiting is a primary tool that God uses to make us more like Jesus. Waiting is not a waste,because God does not waste anything. I highly recommend getting Vroegop’s book for personal or small group study because it is timely written in this current culture of instant gratification. We don’t know how to wait well. This book is so helpful in growing us in this all-important issue.
“Learn to live on what you know to be true about God, when you don’t know what is true about your life”
Vroegop simply points to the truth that is found only in the living Word of God. Waiting, although connected to suffering, is most certainly also connected to hope. In knowing the truth about God we can then turn waiting into hope-filled gospel opportunities. Do you believe the truth that God works as we wait? The most important example of this is in our waiting for our Lord and Savior Jesus to return. “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us… waiting for our blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13). Scripture assures us that Jesus’ return is inevitable. All of history is headed toward this incredible moment.
In order to “learn to live on what you know to be true about God, when you don’t know what is true about your life”, you must know the Gospel. Vroegop reminds us that, “Gaps in life are a part of God’s design in the world.” Gaps are the moments of waiting that we experience. Some gaps are short, some long, but gaps are ever-present in our lives. We seek to fill gaps with almost anything but Jesus. Jesus is not usually the first place we turn when we experience gaps, when we are found waiting.
“The grace of God has appeared, bring salvation for all people, training us… waiting for our blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)
You must remember who Jesus is, what Jesus has done and what He will do in the future. Fill the gaps in your life by rehearsing the gospel daily. See Jesus in the pages of Scripture and seek him in your prayers. Walk in obedience with Jesus when you can’t see what is ahead. A song on my “Sanctified Soul Care Play List” says that faith sees best in the dark. Amen! (click here to listen to the song). We need to flip the script on the way we see hard things and dark times. Remind the brothers and sisters around you because we all need help to live out our faith. Worship Jesus in your local church giving thanks and praise in community for all He has done and will do and is doing in your current season of waiting. You are not alone in this.
WAITING ISN’T PASSIVE
Waiting is not passive. Waiting is active. Most importantly, God is active in our waiting, and we too can also be active in waiting by exercising your faith.
What can you do?
Rehearse the gospel.
Review the beauty of Christ; God’s character.
Rejoice in your salvation & forgiveness of your sins.
Respond by walking in faith and obedience to God’s word.
“GOD WORKS AS WE WAIT”
Don’t waste your waiting. As you actively search the scriptures and see more of Jesus in your season of waiting, I pray that you will grow in your confidence and deepen your conviction of hope in Christ so you can proclaim the words of King David, “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” Ps 27:13.
Take courage my brothers and sisters. Walk out your faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. Turn waiting into opportunities. Just like David, look to, and hope in Jesus for His promises are true and He is coming back. Know with certainty and with gospel-filled conviction that this will be worth all the waiting.
“But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7.
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Chad Sebby serves on staff at The Forge as the Operations Manager. He coordinates many details within the Forge while also training, teaching, mentoring and discipling men in the KC area. He has a degree in education, is a former worship leader and associate pastor of discipleship. Due to his own personal story regarding decades of full-time ministry while battling anxiety and depression, Chad is passionate about bringing gospel-centered hope, help and healing to men struggling with mental health issues. He is pursuing an ACBC biblical counseling certification and seeking every opportunity to learn and grow deeper in biblical counseling study and experience. He loves serving his family, church and community. He has been blessed in marriage to Renae for 17 years, has three amazing children and two great dogs.