The “Waiting” Place

 

This past June, I was able to attend the Gospel Coalition women’s conference. While I was there, I heard Kathy Keller teach a lesson on Nehemiah 1. Nehemiah 1:4 says this, “4 When I heard this, (that the wall of Jerusalem had been torn down and the gates had been destroyed by fire) I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.” (NIV)

Kathy learned through her research that this time of prayer in Nehemiah’s life lasted for 16 weeks. He felt called to action and knew he had the gifts and resources to help, but his way of tackling the problem was to spend a season of time in prayer.

I have thought about this for months now and have found it to be encouraging in a bunch of ways. I know that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16), and that we should always be in prayer. Our purpose here is to glorify the Lord and to rejoice in his will being done, and we can see God’s faithfulness better when we know him better, and praying sure is an awesome way to get to know God better.

The major reason this lesson stuck with me was because of the really long time Nehemiah was removed from the action during his season of prayer. Please don’t misunderstand me; Prayer is an active time and major things…even miracles… are the result of answered prayer, but Nehemiah eventually goes out and actively rebuilds the wall. As soon as he hears that the wall has been destroyed, he knows it will need to be rebuilt and he knows he is able to play a big part in this big task.

When Jesus appoints 72 messengers to spread the good news, He tells them,

“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest.” Luke 10:2 (NLT). Many of us are anxious to get out in the field and participate in harvest time, but Jesus instructs us to pray first, and to pray for more workers to help with the harvest. When you cannot be in the field, pray for those who are; It’s biblical.

There have been many seasons in my life where I have longed to be active, but by God’s design, I have been grounded by circumstances. I know I have gifts and resources and I long to be a part of the “construction/harvest team”, but my role has been relegated to pray for the workers while I am removed from the action. Have you felt this way? Have you wanted to go to the mission field or go back to school or cross something off your Christian bucket list, but you are home with babies or in a slump, or in poor health, or working at a job that you are not fulfilled by?

To quote Dr. Seuss,

And when you’re in a Slump,

you’re not in for much fun.

Un-slumping yourself

is not easily done.

…for people just waiting.

Waiting for a train to go

or a bus to come, or a plane to go

or the mail to come, or the rain to go

or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow

or waiting around for a Yes or a No

or waiting for their hair to grow.

Everyone is just waiting.

 

In the Nelson house, we have experienced seasons of slump and times frustrated by waiting. Each of the teens has experienced the yearning of wanting to get to high school or get to college or get on with life. There are lots of noble things Pat and I have wanted to do, but have been delayed because of timing. The beautiful truth is that God’s timing is always perfect. We have witnessed this so many times in our home. We have been able to praise God mightily for his timing in our jobs, and in our marriage and so blatantly in the timing of our adoption of Mary Moore. As often as we want to set the time line, we must remember that God’s timing is perfect. Everyone is just waiting, BUT the waiting time can be so effective and glorious. It would be wise to change our focus about what we consider to be the “waiting time”. In truth, this season is an appointed time.

 

Nehemiah was not sidelined by circumstances, but he took a season away from the action to pray. If you are sidelined or waiting or in a slump, rejoice! You may not feel like your circumstances allow you to use your gifts and talents to the Max, but God knows better. Is this your “16 weeks”? Use this season to pray… to trust….to get to know the one in whom you are trusting, and then praise the Lord for this appointed time. You have been given a gift. It is your great privilege to claim this time as a season of prayer and through your faithful prayers, major things and miracles are going to happen.

 

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

 

“There is a time for everything,
 and a season for every activity under the heavens” Ecc 3:1 (NIV)