鈥溾�楩or a while鈥� is a phrase whose length can鈥檛 be measured. At least by the person who鈥檚 waiting.鈥�
If ever waiting was a relevant topic of conversation, it鈥檚 now and I admit I鈥檓 using our current conditions to do a lot of waiting between limited interactions outside my 鈥渂ubble鈥� of friends and acquaintances. Today, I admit that I鈥檓 taking the opportunity to read while sitting out on the back deck, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A cup of tea in hand, I鈥檓 musing on the content of this week鈥檚 article as well as the chores I really should be doing. Backing up those thoughts is another quote I just read: 鈥淗ope of the future is not a licence for irresponsibility in the present.鈥� (Max Lucado). If I interpret those quotes correctly, there are two different aspects to waiting.
First, things don鈥檛 always happen as quickly or how we鈥檇 like. I want COVID-19 to totally disappear by tomorrow evening. Obviously, that鈥檚 not going to happen, making that aspect of hoping quite insane. In all aspects of life, waiting is a key element. We wait for things too numerous to mention; but as cited, 鈥淔or a while is an indeterminate length of time.鈥� How long? I don鈥檛 know, nor do you.
As important for us to recognize that, it鈥檚 equally essential that we do not use periods of uncertainty to cop out of life. We may not have answers, but we will always have areas of responsibility. For some, they may be large, for others (including us seniors), they may be diminished, but each of us has a role God planned for us. It鈥檚 his promise that keeps us going.
鈥淎nd it is he who will听supply听all听your听needs from his riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.鈥� Philippians 4:19 Living Bible
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