An Irritating Reality

Standing in front of the microwave, wishing that corn dog would cook faster.

Willing your phone to buzz while waiting for a text.

Cursing the guy in front of you who wouldn’t brave the yellow light.

What do all of these scenarios have in common besides being things that I do on a regular basis? They all involve waiting. One of the most boring things in the world is waiting. We don’t want to delay our gratification. We want things when we want them, and if there’s going to be a line, we go to McDonalds. Life on the fast track…that’s how I would describe my days sometimes. It’s like I’m always running towards…something. Ultimate satisfaction? The pinnacle of contentedness?

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Ironic how the thing that benefits us most is something we uniformly despise. When we were younger, my brother and I hated it when my mom would use her stock saying: “Waiting builds character.” Nobody wants to hear that, but unfortunately it’s true.

In his book, “Mere Christianity”, CS Lewis talks about the importance of temperance. “Going the right length and no further,” is how he succinctly defines the term that we often associate exclusively with alcohol consumption. In reality, this word can be applied to anything else in our lives that begins to consume us. In the Bible, it talks of idols. While our society today doesn’t often erect statues for the masses to worship as in the days of King Nebuchadnezzar, there are many things to which this concept of “temperance” should be applied. For some it may be food, others relationships, still others video games or movies, but it all depends on the person and the amount in which these things are consumed.

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Despite the motto of the world to do whatever feels right, emotions can be deceiving. They can lead us down paths that satisfy our sinful desires rather than determine the right path for us to travel. Like right now at this moment, my desire is to consume mass quantities of Cookie Butter (if you haven’t had it, you have not lived). However, the logical, more health-conscious side of me knows that doing that wouldn’t be good for me.

Sometimes it’s really hard to not go right after what you want. If something feels right, the natural impulse is to jump in with both feet. The Lord makes it clear though that timing is key. Proverbs 12:18 says, “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” In the chapter before it, verse 12 says, “A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.” There are right and wrong times for everything, as Ecclesiastes 3 clearly states, and part of wisdom is being able to discern between them.

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If the timing isn’t right for something, maybe it’s because I’m not ready yet. The Lord’s ways are perfect, and He knows what I will say and what I will do before I know myself. He knows my innermost thoughts and holds the desires of my hearts in His hand. His promise to me (and to you!), sealed by the sacrifice of His Son, is that my life will be fulfilled for my own good. Even if I can’t see exactly how things will play out, knowing that He is in control reassures me that everything will be alright. Just another opportunity to put trust in Him. ♥