Waiting . . . It Ain't Easy!

One of the most difficult things we seem to be called upon to do in life is to “wait.”

We dread waiting in line for tickets. We don’t like to sit in waiting rooms when we visit the doctor. If we live in a large metropolitan area, we have an intense dislike for waiting for long periods of time in traffic. As Christians, we are often called on to wait on the LORD, and we generally don’t like that, either.

But, what does it mean to wait? How do we wait on the LORD? Where do we wait? What do we do while we are waiting?

Some time ago, I decided to look in a dictionary to find out what it really meant to wait. I knew that a major part of waiting was remaining stationary. But, I was surprised to learn that there is another component to waiting that actually helps answer some of those questions.

The dictionary I consulted defined “wait” as

"remaining stationary in readiness and expectation."

When we are truly waiting on the LORD, we are not just hanging around. We are poised for action. We are to be ready, and we are to be expectant that He will work significantly in, around and through our lives to accomplish His good purposes.

As we settle our hearts before God and remain stationary in readiness and expectation, we will often be amazed at how He uses the times of remaining stationary to set things in place that will ultimately prove to be crucial to the true success of whatever it is we are waiting on Him for.

Integrity

Although the concept of integrity is clearly taught throughout Scripture, the actual word is rarely used. Interestingly, one place where it is used is in the book of Job.

In Job, chapter 1, God summons Satan before Him, and asks him:

"Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

In response, Satan says, in effect,

"The only reason he serves You is because You give him good things. Take away the things, and he'll curse You to Your face!"

God lets Satan take away all the "things" that Job has, and at the end of chapter 1, Job's response is:

"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Then, in chapter 2, God again summons Satan to stand before Him. He proceeds to say exactly the same thing about Job, except that He adds a statement about integrity. God says to Satan this time:

"Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."

Why did God add the comment about integrity in chapter 2, and not include it in chapter 1? The reason is that in chapter 1, Satan might have been right! The only way you can know if someone really has integrity is after they have been tested. Otherwise, it may be just talk!

Proverbs 20:6 captures the essence of that concept quite well.

"Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?"

Giving Up

When I was a senior in high school, I decided to go out for the wrestling team. The team had only started the year before, so we were all a pretty inexperienced bunch. I was even less experienced than the other members of the team, so I was rarely able to wrestle in my weight class.

However, the person in the weight class above me often didn't get his weight down to the proper level before a meet, so I was asked to wrestle in his place. That meant that I would be wrestling someone on the other team who had probably been wrestling for at least 4 years and was heavier than I was, stronger than I was, and definitely more experienced than I was. I knew before I went out on the mat that I would lose. Sure enough, after a couple of minutes of trying to act tough, I would find myself on my back fighting to prevent being pinned.

At that time, the thought would enter my mind,

"Go on, George, give up. You're going to lose, anyway!"

And, that's exactly what I did!

One morning several years later while I was praying, I was reminded of what I had done in those wrestling matches. The first thought that came into my mind then was,

"Oh, Lord. Please don't let me give up in life until I'm genuinely defeated!"

If I had lost by a decision when I was on the wrestling mat, I would have given the other team 3 points. Because I gave up, our team lost 5 points.

Life is made up of struggles. How we respond to those struggles is up to us. A game is a game. But, life is not a game. The stakes are too high to give up prematurely. God wants us to be tenacious against our "enemies" in life, and never give up until we've been genuinely defeated!

Manipulating the Eyes of the Beholders

For a long time, I have wanted to be involved in producing commercials that communicate Christian themes in a culturally relevant way.

I had nothing to do with this one, but it is a great example of how to do that! I thank Robin Parry for putting this up on his blog.

How do we define beauty? Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder, but what do you do when others manipulate the eyes of those who behold?

Click on the link, and watch the Dove Evolution.

Living Among Hypocrites

As I look at the world around me, I continue to see the truth of Solomon's words,

"Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?"

Those on the "left" claim to have a deep concern for the poor, but many of their leaders live in luxury. Those on the "right" claim to be concerned for morality and truth, but many of their leaders have been involved in immorality and deceptive fundraising practices.

The question thus poses itself, "How do we live in a world of hypocrites?" Two thoughts come to mind:

First, we should personally be men and women of integrity. When people tell us that "everyone is doing it," we should ask them and ourselves, "Do you do it? Do I do it?" Solomon also said,

"Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."

Second, we should be careful to look at the lives of people, not just listen to their words. Jesus advised His followers to watch out for those who appear to be innocent on the outside, but inside they are "ferocious wolves." How would they know them?

"By their fruit you will recognize them."

A dear friend used to ask, "How can you mount up with wings like an eagle when you live in a world of turkeys?" After making sure that you really are an eagle, you decide to fly above the "turkeys." To not only claim to have unfailing love, but to actually have it.

People Are Not "The Enemy"

My wife, Suzan, made a very profound comment recently (she actually does that quite often!) that relates directly to the central focus of this blog. She said,

"You can’t impact the culture if you don’t interact with the culture.”

It’s sad, but true, that most of us have a tendency to view the world in terms of “Us vs. Them.” When we look at people who ridicule or ignore us, or whose lifestyles and values are offensive to us, we usually consider them as the "Enemy.” We are the Good Guys. They are the Bad Guys. We have the Truth. They have only Error.

Some time ago, my family and I were standing in line at an amusement park. Behind us was a young couple who clearly did not appear to value the same things we did. The young man had several tattoos, and both he and the young woman had introduced vibrant colors into their hairstyles and wore numerous earrings on a number of body parts other than their ears. I especially noticed the tongue and lip piercing.

It was quite clear from the response of most of the others in the line that no one was willing to talk to them. They were “too weird.” So, I decided to engage them in conversation. I asked a very honest question:

“Doesn’t that hurt?”

What followed was a delightful conversation with two very interesting and open people. We talked about life and love and marriage. I learned that their views were actually not that different from mine in a number of significant ways, and they actually had some very insightful things to say. They were also quite interested in listening to the observations and principles for marriage we shared with them from the perspective of a couple who had been happily married for over 35 years.

People are not the enemy. They are created beings of inestimable worth who have worthwhile things to say, and are often very willing to talk with people from totally different backgrounds if those people are willing to interact with them honestly and openly.

And, no, they said it didn't hurt.

Perspectives

Several years ago, I had the wonderful privilege of meeting and performing with a very talented ventriloquist - Judy Buch. Ventriloquism, like storytelling, is an art form that many in this generation have rarely or never seen done well. Yet, when they see it performed by a skilled professional, they are amazed at how enjoyable and effective it is.

Judy was voted Ventriloquist of the Year by her peers several years ago . . . and she a consummate professional! She and her little friends are witty, charming, funny, and delightful to watch.

Judy will be joining me and interpretive dancer, Katherine Sarris (yes, she is my daughter!), in a program of arts entertainment for the whole family on November 13 at Calvary Church in Trumbull, CT.

If you're in the area and able to attend, please join us.