Just wait.
Waiting is one of the most spiritual practices known to man.
Do you know what you are waiting for? It could be the return of a traveling loved one. A new career on the horizon. An upcoming move to your dream home. Maybe you are waiting for a wound to heal. For that ever elusive, clichéd moment of “closure”.
Recently, I had to wait 3 weeks for the results of two exams. There was plenty of work to do while I waited. I was preparing last-minute items for my biggest event of the year when the unexpected email popped up that not only told me that I had passed, but had kicked some academic ass!
I caught my boss as he was about to leave for a two-week business trip and we quickly reviewed the results together. My boss gave me a big hug, while I cried tears of joy. Then he headed out and I finished my work…with a new attitude!
Epic events are known to happen after a long period of waiting. For instance, take a look at the Book of Acts.
Acts 1
7He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Acts 2
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
In other words, these two men dressed in white essentially told them to go about their business as they waited on the promise of the now ascended Christ! Yes, we wait. Yes we keep doing what we do while we wait. We keep eating, breathing, and earning our wages. We get to do this every day that we are alive and able…to wait.
Anticipation
“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Anticipation is defined as “the act of looking forward; especially: pleasurable expectation” [1]. I must be honest, I relate with Pooh during the time I was using cocaine. The high began while waiting for the dealer to meet up with me.
Fortunately, I no longer live in such a way and I do get to experience anticipation for normal things today. Like Christmas, the birth of a new grandchild, an upcoming vacation and my three-week stay at an ashram next year!
Patience
“Patience is power. Patience is not an absence of action; rather it is “timing” it waits on the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way.”
― Fulton J. Sheen
“I’ve learned that waiting is the most difficult bit, and I want to get used to the feeling, knowing that you’re with me, even when you’re not by my side.”
― Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes
How can one avoid the topic of patience when writing about “Waiting”? People often warn of praying for patience. Because God will send you many answers to this prayer in the manifestation of situations, which you must practice patience. Sometimes this can be painful. Of course, I am always up for a challenge. Not saying I will be asking God for the gift of patience anytime soon, however.
Though there are times I get to practice this gift. On the drive to and from work. This morning was the perfect example. I take a back road in that passes the landfill. The speed limit is 55 yet there was a truck going 40 and it was followed by 2 other trucks, a station wagon, a sedan and a motorcycle. There was no way to get past said truck. I rolled my eyes as I drove by the sign that said 55. Then I reminded myself that the driver did not HAVE to go 55, he just has to make sure he doesn’t go over 55. Patience.
Patience is putting a harness on my dog, who is extremely timid. If I try to rush the process, she will surely run away. So we softly, slowly get through this together. With much love and patience for each other. It is usually followed by a kiss and a hug, then a pleasant walk around the neighborhood.
M83’s song “Wait” is subject to interpretation. I so enjoy a song that means one thing to me and another to someone else.
Waiting is an everyday part of life. We can wait patiently, blissfully. Stay blissful my friends. – E
Living Elysian 