The last couple of days I’ve been ill, so I have spent more time in bed than anything.  I don’t like it.  I’d much rather be doing something.  But I was reminded of a couple of boys in a village where we ministered in Burundi.  They had huddled inside the church when the rains came.  It was obvious our group was going to be eating lunch soon.  When the rain ended, the rest of the children ran away, but these two stuck around.  Even when we were almost finished, they didn’t leave.

Their waiting provided a provision and blessing, as Pastor Felix (our host pastor from Uganda) called them over.  Timidly, they came and he handed them each an orange Fanta, probably the first one they had ever had.  As they joyfully drank their sodas, he brought them a plate of food.  Who knows if they would have eaten anything that day.  As he did, he said, “They received the blessing because they stuck around and waited when the others ran away.”

Their story reminds me of the importance of waiting.  God has a plan, purpose and response for us.   But, if I don’t want to wait to hear from Him or wait for His timing, I may miss it.  So I’ve purposed to wait upon the Lord, to receive His blessings so that my doing is out of obedience to Him, blessing Him and others.

For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!  Isaiah 64:4 (NLT)

Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. Hebrews 6:15 (NLT)