WHILE AM WAITING...........................

God has destined that mankind would depend on Him no matter their title or status. Unfortunately, some people doubt the existence of God, while others think He is too slow. They then resolve to frustration, anxiety, and suicide when they have to wait. Everyone desires that things happen fast. But only the spiritually sensitive understand the virtue embedded in waiting on God. Job said; “If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change come". Job 14:14. This means that change is paramount for every individual. The question now is how many people can wait for the change to come. Some people assume God is too slow, especially when they are expecting the manifestation of His promises concerning them. But the good news is that when you align yourself with God and understand His ways, you enjoy peace and maximize the waiting period. In the gospel, this happened to Mary and Martha while they were waiting for Jesus to come and heal their brother, Lazarus. When Jesus eventually showed up, they accused him of taking too long. John 11:1-46. Meanwhile, waiting is a tool for development. The bible recorded that Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, Daniel, Jesus, Paul, and others waited on God. They were not disappointed and they fulfilled destiny in grand style. Jesus for instance, was here as the Messiah. But for the first 30 years of His life, He was without identity. It was also recorded that He was only a lay reader in the temple (Luke 4:16). But when He turned 30, the plan of His destiny unfolded. The Holy Ghost descended on Him and equipped Him for accomplishments. “And Jesus returned in the power of the Holy Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about". Luke 4:14. Jesus was born of the Spirit. However, He could not do miracles nor excel in His ministry until He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, then anointed and equipped. “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness... and Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about”. Luke 4:1, 14. Thus Jesus had to wait until He was equipped to fulfill His destiny. During that period, He was always in the temple listening to teachings and asking questions. This shows that our Saviour Jesus waited until the Holy Spirit was released unto Him without measure. And when Jesus Christ passed the waiting test His destiny was completely unfolded and He found what was written concerning Him (destiny). Until you have fully maximized the waiting test you may not be qualified for the next level. “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (Verse 1) To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; (Verse 2) To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified”. (Verse 3) Isaiah 61:1-3 Think about Moses. He had to wait for 40 years before his destiny unfolded. During this time, his character was refined. We can remember how he killed a man and hid his body before he fled and later had an encounter with God. Check the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua. The question now is; How do you perceive the waiting time? Do you see it as a time off to be equipped for the next level you so desire or as a punishment? What is that change you crave for? Is it a good job, marriage partner, fruit of the womb, admission into a higher institution, or financial breakthrough? It is not enough to say I am waiting on God. It is very important to maximize the time by engaging in positive things that will make you qualified. For instance, as a young boy who was awaiting admission into the higher institution, I engaged in learning computer hardware engineering. When I eventually gained admission into the university, I had no regrets. I was already a guru in computer engineering. I repaired and serviced the computers in most of the departments in the school. I even lectured some of my lecturers and had a school where fellow students and indigenes learned computer skills. This fetched me a lot of money and made me employ some of my mates to work for me. As a parent in waiting, what are you doing to get yourself equipped for those children you believe God for? Have you learned all you need to know concerning bringing up well-behaved and cultured children that God will entrust you with? Have you trained yourself to be a praying and caring parent? If yours is a marriage partner, and you have been asking God for a God-fearing, caring, and faithful partner, have you checked yourself? Do you have some of these attributes, if not all? Remember that likes beget likes. Can a brother or sister pray to be married to somebody like you? Or are you the type that people try to avoid because of your brash attitude? My friend, please work on yourself so that even when your desire comes you won’t lose it and start asking God for a second chance. And if yours is a good job, have you worked on your character? Can you say ‘Yes, there’s nobody I can’t work with’ Because people have different attitudes and you need to learn how to work with them. Do you have a team spirit? My friends, get prepared. While waiting for that financial breakthrough, can you boldly say God can entrust me with His wealth? Because as a believer, you must see yourself as somebody who must give account. God doesn’t waste resources. He gives to people who will spend wisely and rightly. Is giving difficult for you? Read this article on giving on my blog. It will help you. Waiting builds intimacy and dependency on God. It also makes you focus on yourself as it provokes reflection, which makes you strategize on how to become a better person. Wait expectantly; your change is near. A song titled While I'm Waiting by John Waller of Fireproof movie goes thus: I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord And I am hopeful, I'm waiting on You Lord Though it is painful, but patiently I will wait. My comment: While waiting, we are hopeful of getting what we need as soon as the wait is over and we've learned to be extremely patient. Ask Abraham and Moses. And I will move ahead bold and confident Taking every step in obedience My comment: Until you choose to completely obey, your waiting period might not end or not be worth it. You are walking confidently and boldly in obedience, believing that your waiting will be fruitful. While I'm waiting, I will serve You While I'm waiting, I will worship, while I'm waiting I will not faint I'll be running the race even while I wait My comment: While waiting, you should take time to serve, honour, and worship God. The road isn’t easy while running the race, but you will not faint because your strength comes from God alone. I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord And I am peaceful, I'm waiting on You Lord, Though it's not easy, no, but faithfully I will wait Yes, I will wait My comment: Because you are waiting on the Lord and walking confidently in obedience to His instructions, it brings you peace of mind that you'll have a better tomorrow. But you have to be faithful to the end. Ask Joseph about his experience in Potiphar’s house. So many of us have missed God’s blessings for our lives by not maximizing our waiting period in obedience to His word, being faithful to the end, worshiping and serving God. Don’t misuse your waiting period. You will not get anything valuable from the wait or probably prolong it. Ask Gehazi who could not wait patiently to take over from his master Elijah. He wasted all his years of waiting with the singular action of greed. 2 Kings 4:12 -30. What have you been learning from your waiting period? Wait, learn and your expectations will not be cut short. As I want you all to know, I am also waiting on the Lord in some areas of my life. It's not easy, and not funny, but worth it. Remain Blessed. AYODEJI ANIFOWOSE Twitter: @gfatherghusband Instagram: @gfather_ghusband, @ayodeji.anifowose Facebook: www.facebook.com/greatfathergreathusband, www.facebook.com/ayodeji.anifowose E-mail: ayollc.company@gmail.com www.ayodejianifowose.com