Their impatience seems to be messing with their mind.
When we are stuck and having to wait, or when things don't work out as quickly as we might hope, how might we use the time well?
I love the story, from Acts 1, that I referred to yesterday.
Jesus had spoken his disciples, ' ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.' (Acts 1.4). But how did they fill that waiting time? Did they play Scrabble, or watch a DVD? Or go out together?
The story is instructive. 'Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them. “Brothers and sisters,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David.' (Acts 1.12-16)
As well as praying together (always a good thing to do!), Peter and the others were concerned to make sense of their recent past, which included the arrest, death and resurrection of Jesus. Instead of pooling their ignorance, or speculating, Channel 4 style, they looked in the Scriptures, and acted accordingly.
When we have 'time on our hands', or are forced to wait for something to happen, we would do well to invest that time, whether short or long, in focusing on 'what is God teaching me?' sorts of questions.
Facing difficult issues, it is always better to be God-focused than problem-focused. Time is well spent when we learn the skill of productive waiting, for the Lord knows what we need to learn, and we can trust Him.
Best wishes,
Richard
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