~ Why Wait? ~

[Lani]

Ecclesiastes 3:9-15
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.


As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17 (NRSV)




Looking back over my life, I see a persistent theme: waiting. It seems I have always been waiting for something. When I was a child, I eagerly awaited birthdays and Christmas mornings, summer vacations and graduations. As a young adult, I waited for the right job, a spouse, and children. Now that I have those things, I wish for more free time. I await retirement and having more time to travel.

How does all this waiting benefit me? Does longing for tomorrow make it come any quicker? Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” (Matthew 6:34, NIV). Waiting can have merit, if we spend our waiting time wisely. Most major life events – going to college, moving to a new home, having children – require planning and preparation as we wait. If I spend my days impatiently looking forward toward the next phase of my life, I miss out on the joys and the rewards God brings today.

I want to learn to appreciated, enjoy, and value each stage of life. I want to live fully the day that is here now, not the day it's leading up to. God desires for us to live in the here and now.


Prayer: Dear God of this day, help us to take our focus off the future and place it in the present, that we may more fully live for you each day. Amen.

Prayer Focus of Day: Those beginning college

Story shared by: K. Dilmore (LA)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 9/2/11