Genesis 29: 20 (NLT)
So Jacob spent the next seven years working to pay for Rachel.  But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days.

Jacob wanted to marry the love of his life, but the path to the altar would take seven years of labor, with an additional week of waiting before he’d receive his bride.  He’d then have to endure his father-in-law, Laban’s, deceit awhile longer and work seven more years to seal the marital deal.  

That particular arrangement would be pretty challenging for most of us.  We live in a fast paced world where we’ve gotten used to instant gratification.  We just don’t like to wait.  We’re frustrated when our computers boot slowly, when the grocery line is held up by a customer who’s being a little too social with the cashier, and when the car in front of us is moving at a snail’s pace.  So we buy the latest laptops with the fastest speeds, use the self checkout line at the supermarket, and speed to pass cars that hold us up from getting to the next stop light.  

How is it that we’ve dumped the idea of gracious living for microwaved results?  We’ve become impatient with living patiently.  We want what we want and we want it now.  But, Jacob chose to wait.  No matter how much he desired his promised bride, he would endure the delay, pay the price and put in the work.

We’re admonished to “wait on the Lord and be of good courage” (Psalm 27:14).  Although we’re often in situations where we wait on unpredictable and unreliable people, our Dear Father has proven that we reap great benefits when we wait on Him.  

Jacob was faithful, diligent, and patient.  He proved that he would dedicate himself to the work, make the necessary sacrifices, and keep his word.  It was a stark contrast to his former actions wherein he took what didn’t belong to him by abusing his brother’s moment of weakness and deceiving his father.  Now he saw the value in commitment and in waiting to receive what he desired most.    

Few things that happen quickly are worth it in the end.  When we’re anxious to get what we want, and desire a certain outcome, patience can build our character, and we can learn to wait well.  Sometimes issues resolve themselves while we wait; our outlook can expand when our desires are put on hold; and we may reconsider a course of action as we endure a delay.      

God puts a premium on patience.  If we decide to slow down the rush to pursue our personal ambitions and, instead dedicate our desires to the Lord, even the mundane will bring us pleasure.  As our love and commitment to the Father grows, we can delight in the work.  When the goal is before us, we can approach our tasks with diligence, kindness, and peace of mind.  Then we’ll understand that the process that leads to the goal is more important than the goal itself.  

It’s in the journey that we recognize our needs, learn to give of ourselves, and surrender our fears.  We can slow our frenetic roll toward what we have in mind in order to reap the benefits of what God has in store.

Prayer

Lord, Waiting on You really is the best course of action.  We’re surrendering the anxieties we’ve held on to because we’ve wanted a particular outcome right now.  Teach us to slow down and make the necessary changes in order to wait well and live well.  

In Jesus’ Name, 
Amen

Be well,
Michele