Waiting is a worthwhile endeavor
We live in a time of the immediate. Waiting is not “normal.” We have next day shipping, content delivered immediately to our devices and ever-increasing WiFi speeds. We tend to eliminate as much waiting as possible from our lives. However, what if waiting is actually a good thing? What if I need to wait in order to fully appreciate something? Here we are in the Advent season— the season of expectant waiting. What does waiting have to do with leadership?
When it comes to leadership, right now is not always the right time. Sometimes we need to wait. We need to wait to have that conversation or wait to make that decision or wait to respond to that email. Waiting can give us time to think deeply, to gain a better perspective and formulate a better response.
Waiting doesn’t have to be passive. We can wait with expectancy and use the waiting to cultivate decisions with better discernment and wisdom.
This allows this time to cultivate wisdom and discernment which is essential in figuring out if a particular opportunity is right for us. The right opportunity at the wrong time isn’t the best decision. Just because the opportunity presents itself does not mean we should take it.
When we choose to wait, we give ourselves time to make decisions that are not filled with emotion or desire for something new. Instead, we are able to make the best decisions about new opportunities. It may be a good opportunity coming your way, whether a new job offer or business venture, but is it the right opportunity for you right now?
I think there is something spiritual about waiting, especially waiting with expectation. Abram (who became Abraham) waited. Joseph waited. David waited. Solomon waited. The entire Israelite nation waited. Jesus waited. Christians wait for Christ’s second coming.
Waiting should almost be a spiritual discipline. It’s a necessity in the life of a follower of Christ. Why? Because if God gave me everything I wanted right when I wanted it, I would be so much worse off.
God has a plan for causing us to wait. Impatience and immediate gratification come too easily. We have much to learn in waiting. My prayer is that you would be patient and trust God has a plan.
Photo source: istock
 | Ben Marshall is a Pastor at Pathway Church in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He works with teenagers and young adults. He is passionate about leadership and raising up the next generation of biblical leaders. He is a blogger, guitar player and sports enthusiast. Ben currently resides in Beaver Falls with his wife Connie and their two daughters, Aliya and Sophie Learn More » |
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