Right now, I have a pretty big need in my life and I am learning to wait on the Lord for it. I want it and need it now, and God is allowing me to wait for it. “Allowing” is the word I use, because God is giving me some room for growth as I learn to wait on Him.

A word study on the word “wait” (in Isaiah) tells us, it means:

• to bind together
• to expect
• to look for
• a forward look with assurance
• it stresses the straining of the mind in a certain direction with an expectant attitude

Did any of those definitions surprise you? To bind together??

Once, I heard someone say that she thought of waiting on the Lord in the same context of being a waiter or waitress (yeah, I know that is not PC, and interestingly, today that person is called a server). It makes sense to me. What do you do if you are a good waitress?

• Your main function is to serve other people. Humbling yourself to serve the needs of someone else, shows you place more importance on that person’s need than your own.
• A good waitress is smiling and happy to be helping you.
• She reacts quickly to what you need.
• She brings you exactly what you ask.
• By keeping an eye on you, she anticipates your needs, knowing when you are ready to order, need a water refill, or you are ready to pay your bill.

Is this how I am waiting on the Lord? Smiling and happy? Quickly doing exactly as He asks? Tuning in to Him so I know immediately when He asks me?

And, how do you react to a really good waitress?

• You are pleased and you tip well. The next time you come in, you might look for her and ask to sit in her section. You might even eventually build a relationship with her, learning about her life, her goals, her kids. She likes to see you come in, and you like to see her walking up to your table.

I want this kind of relationship with God, one where I am pleasing to Him, one where He blesses me.

Now, I see how waiting on the Lord can mean “to bind together.” I can also see that He is allowing me to gain strength, and oh, I need that after the situation I just left:

To remind myself that I am waiting on the Lord, and not to get ahead of Him, I made my waitress name tag. If you want to make one as a reminder, it is very easy!

 

 

1. Click on the above template and print it out. Cut out the two pieces (front and back) of your name tag.

 

2. Glue those two pieces back to back. Or, if you want something more sturdy, glue the pieces to an old gift card or hotel room key.

3. Write your name on it! Put it in your bible, or place it where you will see it often. I think mine is going on the bathroom mirror so I see it at the start of every day.

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act. Psalm 37:5,