Part four: Waiting Room Faith
I strongly dislike waiting. I don’t like to move slowly, I don’t like to take my time, and no I didn’t read the directions. The thought of boredom makes me shudder. Waiting alone is hard, but when you move the location to a hospital, funeral, or friend after some loss…my heart can barely hold it together. I’ve said goodbye to grandparents, said hello to babies, hugged a friend for the last time before leukemia made her too frail to touch, and waited awkwardly to find out what’s next. I’ve sat on the thin paper that tears as easily as your resolve and waited for answers. I’ve sat with others, some that are loud to block out their anxiety, and some that are distant and quiet as we all wait. I’ve let my mind wander to what if and what’s next. I strongly dislike waiting.
P A U S E
The shield of faith is no joke. In biblical times, Roman shields were typically four feet high and two and a half feet wide with hooks that allowed them to attach to one another. The iron shields were covered in two layers of wood, linen, and leather. They would leave enough space between the layers so that flaming arrows could be extinguished. There were times the romans would crouch to the ground and cover themselves and use shields on the outer lines to close them in. Sort of like a turtle or an armadillo.
Does our faith have that sort of strength? When challenges come our way, do we stand firmly in what we believe or do we crumble under the pressure? Look back on your own waiting room experiences and consider how your response has changed over the years. Are you growing or are your troubles tearing you down?
P R A Y
Our faith can build anywhere, but often it grows in the waiting. Sometimes we speed things up and do it our own way, only to miss what God might have done. I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve heard of people that have waited on Him and have had their needs met in extraordinary ways. I do mean needs here…not just wants or hopes for prosperity. I love that David embraces the shield imagery in Psalm 33:20-22 where he says “Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him because we trust in His holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”
Ask God to show you what faith like this looks like. I have a friend that asks for glimpses along the way. Remind yourself of his love. In your waiting, don’t give up.
P R O C L A I M
Faith does not ensure a care-free life. Nothing does. But just as a shield protects the armor and the person within it, faith protects our hearts and minds from doubt that will tear us apart. It also builds our righteousness and desire for peace. Believing in what we cannot see gives us hope to live freely.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Who did wear it best, then?
If I told you that by raising your arms for an entire game, your favorite team would win, would you believe me? Chances are you’d throw your lucky rabbit foot (I see you) and tell me it won’t work. Ye of little faith. Moses was in this position, but more of a your-enemies-will-kill-everyone sort of vibe. Slightly different. When fatigue set in, he had a man on either side to lift his drooping limbs. Lives were at stake! God allowed them to defeat some of their worst enemies in this faithful act. Sort of puts the Browns winning in perspective, am I right? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It amazes me that God uses us as conduits for his strength. We are weak, restless, forgetful, and selfish. And that’s just me on a Tuesday. 😬 We would rather step over the hard places and not draw attention to them. BUT, our shortcomings are the best part of the story. Conflict is what ensures change in us. It pushes us forward. Faith tells us it will work.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
When your arms are tired from carrying the shield of faith, ask God to remind you of all the work He has done and is doing today. Lift up whatever is causing you to feel weak or restless. Pray for guidance and direction. Trust the one that made you and longs for you to have the very best life possible this side of perfection. ⠀⠀