DO while WAITING?  That seems contradictory!  I think that most people assume while “waiting” they do nothing!  Well, not exactly!

Most people do not like to wait.  We don’t like waiting at stop lights, in bank lines, in doctor’s offices and especially at the Department of Motor Vehicles!  We are an impatient and restless lot!

Several times this week I have reread the story of Elijah in I Kings 17-19.  Have you ever wondered what Elijah “did” while at the brook Cherith?  God told him to go hide himself by the brook and the ravens would feed him (quite a miracle in itself as ravens usually do the scavenging and eating!).  Let’s see … no internet, no radio, no friends, not even a book!  How did he pass his days?  Maybe thinking? Pondering? Praying? (I’m sure!) Contemplating? Planning? Sleeping? Maybe he even used rocks as weights and exercised!

It got me to thinking … how can I effectively use my waiting time.  After all waiting can be an action word.  Waiting is not simply sitting on our hands and waiting for something to happen!

The Bible encourages us to “wait” on the Lord and there are promises that follow but how do you put your wait to good use?

Here are a few things that popped into my mind that can “redeem the time” while we are waiting …

give thanks
be expectant
sing songs, hymns & spiritual songs
rejoice in the Lord
trust in God
live in faith
stay confident
look to Jesus
glorify Him
walk in the Spirit
don’t grow weary
don’t lose heart
choose love
walk in peace
listen to His voice
submit to God
resist the devil
put on God’s armor
take up God’s armor
hope in God
extend His grace
stand fast for truth
know HIM
be patient
do not fret
feed on His Word
delight yourself in the Lord
commit your ways to the Lord
don’t be anxious
think on Him
be encouraged
be vigilant

Oh my … I think you can add a lot more to that list!  Waiting is NOT passive … waiting is ACTIVE!

Many in the Bible had to use their wait time effectively also …
Joseph had to wait 17 years
Moses had to wait 40 years
Children of Israel had to wait 40 years
Daniel had to wait 21 days
Some waited so long they died before receiving their promise (Hebrews 11)

Don’t grow weary waiting for God’s promises!  A favorite verse of mine is Habakkuk 2:2 & 3, “But these things I plan won’t happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass.  Just be patient!  They will not be overdue a single day!” (Living Bible).

What has God told you to do? Has He given you a promise?  Are you in a “waiting” mode?  Don’t despair!  Use the above list to make your waiting time productive and then as Habakkuk says … slowly, steadily, surely … it will come to pass!