Waiting for God

By: Ivonne J. Hernandez

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‘In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.” (Eph 1:11-12)
 
Meditation:

Most of us are not very good at waiting. We live in a time of instant gratification, in a society that values productivity and therefore tangible results. We feel good when our checklists are completed, when we can look back at our day and feel we accomplished things. We try to do multiple tasks at the same time because there is not enough time in the day to complete everything on our lists. Our lists keep growing because we don’t have time to sit back and look at the big picture. We just keep piling things on and juggling the best we can. We don’t have time to stop and ask God if this is what He wants us to be doing with our time. Why? Because if we ask, then we will have to wait for an answer -- and we do not like waiting.

Waiting implies trust and requires relinquishing control. This is why many of us are terrible at delegating. “If you want a thing done well, do it yourself.” We probably all have all heard that idea or a form of it at one time or another, and those of us who have children probably have many stories proving the “wisdom” in those words. The question to ask though is: What do we mean by ‘well’? If we mean “how I want it” or “according to my plans”, then yes, the idiom would be correct. But if by ‘well’ we mean according to God’s plans and designs, then we run into a problem when we don’t stop long enough to ask God what His plans are. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways.” (Is 55:8)

We must try to live our lives in a constant state of discernment. We need to be attentive to the still small voice within us. (1 Kings 19:12) When we take the time to see God’s hand in every aspect of our lives, our trust in Him grows. “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.” (Jer 29:11) We need to be reminded of these truths all the time, because we forget. And Jesus knows us very well. He knows our weaknesses and He gives us the remedy, Himself in the Eucharist. “Do this in memory of me” (1 Cor 11:24). When we receive the Eucharist, we remember. We remember who we are, we remember who God is. We remember His love for us, and then we can wait, full of trust and hope, knowing in the depths of our soul that our help comes from the Lord. (Ps 121:2)
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