I love to wait . . . . [said no one, ever]!
Umm, no thank you.
While there are different levels of waiting i.e. waiting for results from a medical test, waiting for news of a baby's birth, waiting for a family celebration, it can be hard to have joy when the waiting feels prolonged or without fruit. I'm not referring to waiting for a pizza delivery or for the book you've been dying to read, either! This is the waiting that involves soul-searching and trust in God.
There's a good analogy with planting seeds; the ground is prepared, the seed is planted and watered, and then the waiting begins. From our perspective, there is no visible movement, yet we trust that, with the right conditions, a plant will emerge. So why is it so hard to apply that faith to events in our lives?
Is it because we no longer appreciate the miracle of a seed or that we do not trust in God's plan for our lives?
When I started developing this reflection, I was in a completely different season of my life, but this still applies. Boy, does it ever. But, much like the analogy of planting a seed, it wasn't time. Preparation, perseverance, and time were needed to bring this fully to life.
Today's readings also spoke to the occasional frustration with waiting (at least for me!). I saw this in an entirely new light as I read Matthew 7:15-20:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but underneath are ravenous wolves.
By their fruits you will know them.
Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Just so, every good tree bears good fruit,
and a rotten tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down
and thrown into the fire.
So by their fruits you will know them.”
How often do I see a time of waiting as a punishment or a sentence that must be carried out, either patiently or impatiently, instead of a gift of time?
Wait, what? Waiting is a gift?
To this Achiever, it doesn't feel like it, but within the context of Matthew's Gospel, I see a new approach. It's comfortable to continue on a path, even if it's not the right one. Habits are hard to break, and expectations color so much of our experiences that they can impact our reality. Much like it is easier to see a speck in someone else's eye over the plank in my own, am I overlooking the dead branch in my life that needs pruning? What am watering and watering when I should be pruning instead? Can I accept this season that appears to be without growth as an essential part of my life's journey? For without pruning, grapes will sour. Without cultivating, weeds will overgrow wheat. Without trimming, trees will break in the storms and winds of life.
My current playlist is a non-stop message from God, and I hear the affirmation over and over (what can I say, I'm stubborn!): this, too, shall pass. It is especially evident in the song "Move" by TobyMac. So whether you hear God's Word by studying the Bible, reading a devotional, listening to Christian music, in prayer, looking at nature or all of the above, God is always speaking. At a time when I'd prefer to mope or complain or throw a pity-party, I know that I need to 'Move', but only if that movement is towards God.
Otherwise I'm simply watering a dead branch that needs pruning.
Move (Keep Walkin') by TobyMac
Another heartbreak dayFeels like you're miles away
Don't even need no shade
When your sun don't shine, shine
Too many passin' dreams
Roll by like limousines
It's hard to keep believin'
When they pass you by and by
I know your heart been broke again (oh-oh-oh)
I know your prayers ain't been answered yet (oh-oh-oh)
I know you're feeling like you got nothing left
Well, lift your head, it ain't over yet, ain't over yet, so
(Move) Keep walkin', until the mornin' comes
(Move) Keep walkin', soldier keep movin' on
And lift your head, it ain't over yet, ain't over yet
Are the words that your sweet momma said (hey)
"Shoot for the moon, my dear"
So you took aim out of this atmosphere (hey)
Between high stakes and pump fakes
You're feelin' like you can't buy a break
I know your prayers ain't been answered yet (oh-oh-oh)
I know you're feeling like you got nothing left
Well, lift your head (lift your head), it ain't over yet, ain't over yet so
And lift your head (lift your head), it ain't over yet, ain't over yet
Hold on, hold on
Lord ain't finished yet
Hold on, hold on
He'll get you through this
Hold on, hold on
These are the promises
I never will forget
I never will forget so
Hold on, hold on
The Lord ain't finished yet
Hold on, hold on
He'll get you through this
Hold on, hold on
These are the promises
I never will forget
I never will forget
I know your prayers ain't been answered yet
But it ain't over yet (no), it ain't over yet so get up and
(Move) Keep walkin' until the mornin' comes
(You gotta move, move, move) Keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on
And lift up your head (lift your head), it ain't over yet, ain't over yet
(Lift up your head now) Keep walkin' until the mornin' comes
(Keep believin') Keep walkin' soldier keep movin' on
And lift your head, it ain't over yet, ain't over yet
Soldier keep movin' on
Keep walkin' (keep walkin')
Soldier keep movin' on
Keep walkin'
Soldier keep movin' on
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