Wait well

We live in a microwave world. Need it now. Fast. Yesterday.

The clip in the movie Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory comes to mind with the little girl telling her dad, “I want it now,” in the British accent.

This is us. We live in a fast-paced, “gotta have it now” culture. And, I am the world’s worst. Possibly the most impatient person you have ever met.

Our nemesis, my nemesis…………………..waiting.

This is why God’s message to Paul in Acts 23 stops me in my tracks.

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Acts 23:11

The message is clear. You are going to Rome.

Paul must have been super excited. He had thought about traveling to Rome (Acts 19:21) and wrote about his longing to see Rome in Romans 1. Paul had never been to the city, but he had heard of the work God was doing there. He could not wait to see his brothers and sisters in Christ and be able to, as he says in Romans, mutually encourage one another.

So, Paul was on his way. God had just declared it as He “stood near Paul.” If God says it, it is happening.

7 years later he would arrive in Rome.

What!!??? 7 years? 7 years later!

During the 7 years, Paul endured hardship after hardship, house arrest the entire time, a snake bite, a ship wreck, constant friction with the people who wanted him dead.

On so many occasions, Paul could have mailed it in. Given up. There were many instances where he should have been dead, but God brought him through it. The entire time, the entire journey, we find Paul actively pursuing God’s will for his life, knowing he would eventually arrive in Rome. God had declared it.

So, what exactly was God’s will for Paul’s life? Why did God have this roadmap to Rome?

Paul tells us in Galatians 1.

But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. Galatians 1:15,16

God’s plan for Paul’s life was for him to “preach him among the Gentiles.” And, as we saw in Acts 23:11, God says that, as part of this plan, he will testify in Rome.

What God never tells Paul is the timeline. God only states His will for Paul, never the details or the time of arrival. Paul must wait, but not passively. Paul must actively live for God, while waiting.

During these 7 years, Paul lives a life on mission, taking daily steps of obedience. His eyes aren’t on Rome, they are on God. We don’t read about Paul constantly asking God when he would go to Rome. We see Paul daily, actively testifying about Christ. His eyes are on the Creator, not the ultimate destination. This is key.

As I type this, frustration begins to percolate in my soul. Waiting for God is difficult. “Make it happen immediately” is the phrase that runs through my head. But, God wants us to wait on Him, to have faith in the journey. God’s timeline is not mine.

When Paul finally arrives in Rome, 7 years later, testify he does. People flock to him.

They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. Acts 28:23, 24

God’s will for Paul was indeed accomplished.

We are all waiting. Everyone of us is on a journey, accomplishing God’s will for our life, while we wait.

The question for us is, “how do we wait?”

Do we wait in anxiousness, fear, and trembling? Do we hopelessly wait, as we watch world events? Do we wait in bitterness, ready to argue, demand our way?

Or, do we wait with confidence, living God’s will for our life daily, step-by-step? Is hope at the tip of our tongue?

The key for Paul is the same key for us today. Where are your eyes? Keep your eyes fixated on the One who controls the journey, not the final destination. God controls the final destination. Fix your eyes on Christ and live His will for your life today.

Wait well.

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