The Weight of Waiting

*Before I ever saw the stunning post our dear Beth wrote and posted last Saturday, I also woke up Saturday with these words on my heart about the Holy Week. This will help you understand why I keep referring to Saturday. Grin. I love y’all!

 

I woke up this morning and after pondering my breakfast options, my thoughts immediately went to the weight of today. This quiet Saturday, or as some might label it; the wait.

What was everyone thinking? How was everyone processing this crucifixion they had just witnessed a mere 12 hours ago? What was running through the mind of Jesus’ mother Mary that went unrecorded in scripture? What thoughts was she pondering? How many tears had she shed that no one saw?

Days earlier these people were watching Jesus perform miracles. They thought they had found the Savior, but now they’d been robbed of their peace with no hope in sight.  Saturday was the day all hope seemed lost.  They didn’t realize yet that Sunday was coming.

For most of us, it’s the time in between that’s the foggiest. It’s the time in between that proves our character. It’s the time in between that makes us or breaks us.

Confusion sets in.
Hopelessness sets in.
Doubt sets in.
A lack of understanding sets in.
Coping sets in.
Disillusionment sets in.
Cynicism sets in.
Unbelief sets in.

Because when we’re robbed of something we felt sure of, even if it was Jesus Himself, we can’t help but wonder what in the world He’s doing.

The weight of waiting can feel unbearable at times, crushing even, and can seem longer and longer with each passing hour. As our dear Beth so eloquently penned it, “Sometimes waiting is the work.” And work it is, at least most days it feels like work. Working at fighting for joy, contentment, peace, solutions and whatever else we feel like we’re working for. Often times we’re fighting for identity.

Because we all know that though we label these times in between as waiting for something, whether it be a job, a husband, a baby, a breakthrough, a prodigal child returning home, a resolution to a conflict, a long suffering to end, whatever “it” is, they are really just times of refinement and we flat out do not like it because it’s uncomfortable. We grasp for control to no avail, and our ugly flesh is exposed. We either fall to our knees or run to comfort because the thought of facing pain or loneliness is almost unbearable. And while our coping appears to everyone as us looking for a solution, we’re really just looking for compassion. We just want someone to understand our pain without trying to fix it, because deep down inside we know Jesus is the only thing that can truly fix us. Instead of letting Him work everything out for good, we give our best efforts to work everything together for good.

The time in between…it’s the hardest.

But then, just when we have the confidence to face it head on, just as Mary couldn’t wait any longer to be near Jesus, near his physical body, a little light of hope breaks through. Because after all, over and over He tells us not to be troubled. Instead of finding him where we thought He was, He ends up somewhere completely different, somewhere we didn’t see coming.

In our home.
In our people.
In our workplace.
In us.

Jesus not only spent three days in a tomb, He also spent nine months in Mary’s womb. But yet we still continue to be shocked, stunned, and surprised at how He comes through! And it really was better than we could have imagined! And He really did work all the blood and bruising out for good! And it really does change everything. Our songs, our stories, they may be incomplete, but we still sing. We still sing because He is sovereign and His plans cannot be thwarted, try as we (or the enemy) might to thwart them. (Job 42:2)

Because that’s the kind of God He is.

The God who sees.
Who mends.
Who knits.
Who loves.
Who has compassion and solutions.
Who is our hope.
Who saw both Saturday and Sunday coming.
Who really did die for us so we could spend eternity with Him.
Who really does love us.
Who really doesn’t waste one minute of the time in between.
Who has provided everything we’ve needed thus far.
Who causes us to look back and see His hand of faithfulness all over our many seasons.
Who resurrects what’s been lying lifeless.
Who makes everything beautiful in His time.

Who gives us an identity, labeled us as a somebody dearly and eternally loved, despite what has or hasn’t come our way.

I know, because I’m currently living in a “time in between”.

And although confusion, discouragement, loneliness, mistrust, fog and anxiety have all set in on different days and different times, there is hope. And it is good.

And it is Jesus Christ himself. It always has been. So we fix our eyes on Him; and suddenly, the time in between doesn’t seem so hopeless, the weight, a little lighter.

As the old hymn so powerfully words it, “…all other ground is sinking sand.”

“O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” Psalm 130:7

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63 Responses to “The Weight of Waiting”

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Comments:

  1. 51
    Briana says:

    So good!

  2. 52
    Betty M says:

    Dear Siesta Sisters,
    As usual I sometimes get carried away by my emotions!! You would think by the time you reach the 6th decade of life that would stop but I am sorry to tell you it doesn’t!!
    I was going to do a pledge towards a ticket at a venue later in the year for some reason I felt lead to do that. I am so glad I called the 1-888 number first because a very sweet gal patiently explained how this works to me!! At first I thought and actually said “This will not work for me, I live hundreds of miles from even the closest venue and how would I know anyone in these cities?? Then it occured to me, I have relatives who live in three of these venues this year. Surely these women of God know someone who really needs to be hearing the Word from Beth. So, I am private messaging these women to think of someone, call the number and have a ticket in this person’s name when Beth comes to each city. Very easy for me and my godly gals to do and could be life changing for someone who despirately needs His Word to fall fresh on thier ears either for the first time or a new time!!
    Thanks you gals for putting up with some of us in our senior moments and in our blonder moments as well!!!
    Love Y’All,
    Betty M

  3. 53
    Sharon J. says:

    On Christ the solid rock I stand! The God who saw both Saturday and Sunday coming! Yes He sees, He knows! Thank you for sharing this Lindsee! He sees me where I am and knows.. Sunday is coming! Can’t wait to see what is around the corner in our waiting. … It will be amazing and huge I am sure of it!
    Thank you Miss Lindsee!
    Love and God’s blessings on you!

  4. 54
    Lee Ann Z. says:

    I don’t usually sit at my computer this late at night, but the ache in my heart won’t let me sleep. Please know that your words echo the cry of my soul, and I know God led me here to receive the grace and mercy I desperately need. Thank you for your honesty, and your diligence to write of both struggle and hope. God is good, and He is for us. That is our truth and declaration, in all things, no matter how we feel. We press on, knowing Sunday is coming!

  5. 55
    Holly says:

    Thank you, for sharing your heart … On waiting. My family is in one of the hardest, frustrating and amazing ” Waiting Times”. We know we’re God is leading us but, the dance in hall way to praise Him…. Is something we are learning to do during this battle even when the want to is not there.

  6. 56
    Elizabeth says:

    Oh wow. This speaks so clearly to my heart right now. Husband and I are in this waiting time (again) as we wait for our baby to come home. This last step in the first chapter of our adoption story. And the Lord is here.

    The funniest thing is, a friend of mine sent me this link for encouragement. “Oh!” I said, “There’s my cousin’s picture on the site.” “Aaaaand that’s my cousin’s name on the blog!”

    So thank you, Lindsee, for allowing the Spirit to speak through you. This is a gift.

  7. 57
    Alyssa says:

    I follow this blog but don’t usually comment. I wanted to thank you for this post. I sat with my best friend and read this to her between tears this weekend. She is battling a difficult trial and this blog
    Was food to her soul. We prayed it and declared it. We thank you for these words. They have made a difference to two 27 year olds this weekend.

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