Can I let you in on a secret? Everyone is waiting on something.
Marriage
Right friendships
A new season of life
Freedom from sin
An answer to prayer
Whatever the answer may be, the question shouldn’t be, What are you waiting for?, but rather How will you choose to wait?
Not long ago, I applied for a ministry position at a church I had unashamedly admired from a distance for years. If I had to write a dream job description, this role would be it! A week after submitting my application, I received a call to set up an interview. I was giddy. After the initial interview, days went by… then weeks. Finally, I got a call stating that the job would be placed on hold indefinitely. Silence. I was crushed, devastated, and confused. I had gone from feeling the anticipated highs of a future possibility to quickly plunging down the tracks of fear. What if I was waiting on a job that may never happen?
In my season of waiting, here’s what I know to be true: When we wait on God, we will be used by God in the way that brings ultimate glory to Him.
We see woven through the pages of Scripture a common thread of waiting. Some people waited well, while others did not. Simeon’s story is found in the Book of Luke and can teach us lessons that will transform our seasons of waiting.
3 Lessons on Waiting from Simeon:
“There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple.” (Luke 2:25-27a, CSB)
- Wait in action.
Simply put, wait but don’t waste. Simeon was where he needed to be physically (in the temple, the place of worship) and spiritually (he was devoted and righteous) to receive what God had promised. Simeon did not allow the absence of God’s fulfilment to stop him from pursing the Promiser. Position yourself in obedience to God now. Are you positioned spiritually (attending church, reading His word, and in community with God’s people) to see God move? Are you obeying His known will while waiting on that which is unknown?
- Wait in faith.
Our actions should always be driven by faith. Simeon’s actions were driven by His faith in God’s Word. God has provided us with His Word and it is filled with promises. Do you trust that God will give to you according to His promises? Philippians 4:19, Psalm 84: 11, and Isaiah 40: 31 are just a few.
- Wait in remembrance.
When you and I recount what God has done in our past and look forward to what He has promised to do for our future, this allows for a healthy present living. Are there blessings in your current season that you once prayed for? What if you began to thank God daily for those things and proclaimed His faithfulness to others?
“When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. For my eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:27b-34)
The question is not, Will you wait? But rather, How will you choose to wait?
“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)
Oghosa Iyamu is attending Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, completing her last year in the Masters of Divinity program. Oghosa is passionate about racial reconciliation and growing the next generation through biblical teaching. Keep up with Oghosa via Twitter.