In C. S. Lewis’ The Horse and His Boy (from the Chronicles of Narnia series), Shasta embarked on a long journey from his village to escape being sold as a slave. As he traveled, he became aware of something following him:
“It was pitch dark and [Shasta] could see nothing. And the Thing (or Person) was going so quietly that he could hardly hear any footfalls. What he could hear was breathing. His invisible companion seemed to breathe on a very large scale, and Shasta got the impression that it was a very large creature . . . The Thing (unless it was a Person) went on beside him so very quietly that Shasta began to hope he had only imagined it. But just as he was becoming quite sure of it, there suddenly came a deep, rich sigh out of the darkness beside him . . . ’ Who are you?’ he said, scarcely above a whisper. ‘One who has waited long for you to speak,’ said the Thing.”
Of course, the Thing was a lion—Aslan, the Christ-figure in Lewis’ Chronicles. The Great Lion had walked with Shasta, protecting and waiting for him. The lion would not force himself upon the boy but would humbly wait for Shasta to speak before moving toward him.
The prophet Isaiah spoke similar words to God’s people Israel, assuring them that their great God, forever patient, would “wait for [them] to come to him so he can show [them] his love and compassion” (Isaiah 30:18). Israel’s God endured much in the waiting, including His people’s rejection. “No, we will get our help from Egypt,” Israel said.
Our strong, kind, and patient God will wait for us. He waits for us to return. God waits for us to speak, to acknowledge our desire, to welcome Him into our story again. What an amazing God!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 6:1-13
More:
Read Psalm 103:8 and consider how God’s love and patience work together in our lives.
Next:
How might it alter your perspective of God to understand Him as the Father who patiently waits for you? Where in your life do you need to speak to the One who waits for you?
Gary Shultz on July 14, 2015 at 6:33 am
This waiting thing has so many aspects. God waits for us each day, He waits for physical and spiritual growth, He waits for the completion of our journey, He waits to takes us home. We often wait for God because we don’t know, just like the boy, but in all cases God knows while He waits……. I need to speak to the One who waits as often as I can be reminded that He does wait and wants to talk with me……… You have helped me do that better, just by the mention of what has helped you, the Prayer of Examen. Thank you.
Winn Collier on July 14, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Thank you, Gary. I find myself waiting today…
Tom Felten on July 14, 2015 at 8:53 am
God’s patience amazes and convicts me. If He, Almighty God, will wait for me, what should my response be to those who I’m waiting on? May we live out His patient, compassionate ways today.
joycemb on July 14, 2015 at 10:56 am
Thank you Tom for saying what I was thinking also. I sometimes lose sight of my imperfections but can easily see them in others. Very humbling to recognize that God is so patient with me that He wait for me to come to Him, with all of my imperfections. Ahhhh
Winn Collier on July 14, 2015 at 3:02 pm
the ol’ “spec in your brother’s eye / plank in your own eye” – I get that, me too.
Ruth O'reilly-smith on July 14, 2015 at 12:46 pm
When I do speak to God, I often find myself rambling through a long list of desperate requests. May I rather first, “enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name” – Psalm 110:4.
Winn Collier on July 14, 2015 at 3:01 pm
Me too, Ruth. I’m glad God receives even the rambles.