“You could never rob a bank in downtown Waukesha because your get-a-way car would be stopped by a train!” That’s a joke about the town I live in. I am frequently stopped by trains. These delays cause either one of two very different responses in me.
I’ve been completely frustrated in the waiting. I’ve found myself leaning forward, looking down the line trying to get a glimpse of how many train cars are left. It’s usually beyond my vantage point, but the unknown duration makes me more crazy. I’ve chanted over and over “Come on, come on!” I’ve gripped the steering wheel as my fingers impatiently drummed against it. All the while debating whether to text the person I’m supposed to be meeting, “YIKES! I may be tardy. I’m stopped by a train.” In the past I’ve not handled the waiting well.
But other times I’m thankful to be stopped. I’m not required to do anything else except wait. Sit! I welcome the rest and relaxation.
I have been known to efficiently use the wait time to finish applying my make up, paint my nails, clean out my purse, wipe the inside of the windshield, voice text a friend, check or respond to emails and scroll through instagram photos. Not in that order or my nail polish would be ruined.
I dreamt about being stopped by a train two nights ago. I was trying to make sense of the dream when I awoke. I wondered if it had any particular meaning for me. I remember being stopped by the train, the visual of the train traveling past and the guard arm slowly lifted up so I could proceed. (I like to place a pen and paper beside my bed to write my dreams down as soon as I wake.)
This dream made me think about my role in waiting. I’ve been in a long season of waiting in my life now. At least it feels long to me. I asked myself: How am I at waiting? What do I think God is doing in the waiting? What does it mean for me? What, if anything, does He want me to do in the waiting?
I’m not sure whether my dream had prophetic significance to my life, but part of me sensed and hoped God was about to move some huge metal train cars in my life down the tracks, so to speak, because he wants me to keep moving forward. He says if there is a mountain in front of me I can speak to the mountain and it will move!
How am I waiting? Well, I sure hope I’m learning patience through this time of trial and waiting. What do I think God is doing in the waiting? I think he is working all the time on me and others. I’m sure there is more going on behind the scenes in my life then I’ll ever realize.
What does this mean for me? It means I have an opportunity to draw near to God who is in the waiting with me. What does he want me do do? Right now, I sense he wants me to sing and worship and stand still and see the deliverance of my God. So I look back and remind myself of all that He’s done in my life. He has been faithful to me. I also remind myself of truth.
Like waiting for the train in Waukesha, I don’t want to be leaning forward impatiently looking down the line in panic trying to see and wonder, “How much longer do I have to wait?” No, I want to use my wait time well: for rest or prayer or accomplishing something productive like encouraging someone in the waiting line of life. So these are a few promises that helped calm an impatient heart.
These promises of God are vital. I hope they help you dear reader!
Promises of God: In the waiting remember God is not slow in keeping His promises. I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:13 –14
Promise: God will provide your needs. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Promise: God plans good for you. Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is the God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18
Promise: God will fight for you. Since ancient times and no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:4
rachel inouye 