"THE WAITING ROOM"

Isaiah 40:31

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”.

Have you ever been to a doctor’s appointment, and your wait time is more than you expected, what was your response? I can recall a time waiting to be seen by my doctor. While waiting, I recall watching individuals who came after me, being seen, while I was still waiting. My human side started to wonder, what’s happening here, and should I just ask the front desk how much longer I would have to wait? It was in this moment of being impatient that the Lord started speaking and reminded me of His Word; Romans 8:28 declares, “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”. Although the waiting process seemed unfair in my eyes, the Lord wanted me to be still, knowing nothing in this life of waiting is wasted. We all have our plans and things may not go according to our way, yet there is a BUT. Have you ever thought it was in God’s plan for a delay to fulfill the perfect plan orchestrated by Him?

While in the waiting room of this life, ask the Lord to open your eyes to His will. To open your heart to see beyond the disappointments, and tell yourself, “There is a divine appointment with God in every disappointment”. There are benefits in The Waiting Room!

James, a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ encourages us (James 1:2-5) to consider our trials and temptations to be pure joy. The testing of our faith produces perseverance, so by letting perseverance finish its work, we can be mature and completely lacking nothing. The Lord wants us to seek wisdom if we are lacking, because He would generously give it to all.

Some of the benefits we can experience in “THE WAITING ROOM” are:

• Spiritual Maturity

• Endurance

• Patience

• Peace

• Character Development

• Building Integrity

• Blessings to minister/ pray for a soul waiting to be seen

My testimony about being in “The Waiting Room” is one I love to share: It was in the year of 2019, the month of June at Sloan Kettering Hospital in Manhattan. I accompanied my mother for an appointment (my mother was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer) to see a doctor for a second opinion, in regards to the best treatment she could receive. While in The Waiting Room, I began to look around, and there in the room was a lady that looked very depressed and worried. I felt the Lord leading me to sit beside her and start a conversation. So I did, and as soon as I went over to where she was seated, we started speaking to each other as if we knew each other for years. As we spoke, and shared our situation, I felt the urge to encourage her about finding hope in Jesus. I offered to pray with her, and she happily received the offer and held my hand. Oh what joy this was for my soul! The Lord revealed that day, despite what we were facing, we were still servants called by the Lord to fulfill the Great Commission- winning souls for the Kingdom of God. I believed in my heart that day, a seed was planted, and the Lord would continue to complete what he started in the heart of the lady. Paul the Apostle, tells us,“ I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was making it grow and [He] gave the increase. So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but [only] God who makes it grow and become greater.He who plants and he who waters are equal (one in aim, of the same importance and esteem), yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his own labor. (1 Corinthians 3:6-8, AMPc). Let us be encouraged that God will take care of His people, as we step out on faith and be obedient.

Do not despise your process! We serve a sovereign Lord, who loves us so much, wanting nothing but the best for His children. He desires to see us spiritually grow deeper in Him and our lives to be transformed by his word. The Bible tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2, NIV).

A line from a song by Andre Couche says, “Through it all, through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God”. The Lord says, we must lean not unto our own understanding but acknowledge Him in all our ways (Proverbs 3:5). The Lord always wants our praise (Psalm 34:1), embracing and appreciating all the tests knowing that we shall come out as pure gold in Jesus.

Are you going through a waiting process? Where is your faith being tested? I want to encourage you today, to continue to hope and trust in the Lord. Remember His plans are perfect!

Isaiah 40:31 declares, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like Eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint”. The Lord knows that we are human, and at times we are going to feel weary and discouraged but lift your head up child of God! “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrew 11:1, KJV). Our hope is in King Jesus, no matter the delay, trial, or circumstances that may arise. Look past what you see present and keep your eyes on the promise in Jesus’ name. Embrace “THE WAITING ROOM” with praise and thanksgiving for the Lord wants us to trust him with all our hearts.

~ Please take the time to read the scripture throughout.

Let's Pray:

Dear Jesus,

We are aware that we are living in this world, but we are not of this world. For we are truly just pilgrims passing through, in need of salvation. Help us to be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. As we stay in THE WAITING ROOM help us to acknowledge that you are always working all things for the good of those that love the Lord. Lord, lift the hearts that are weary, strengthen the bodies that are weak, and allow us to take a hold of your perfect love. We desire a closer walk with thee, with our lamps burning for you day and night. We ask that you be a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path. Thank you for your angels that you have given charge over us and help us to dwell in the secret place all the days of our life. In Jesus name, Amen.