Waiting

As a culture, we are taught from a young age that if we want something we can go and get it right then. Delayed satisfaction is a dirty phrase. Having to wait any amount of time is tantamount to having your human rights violated. We believe, by time we reach adulthood, that when we want something, we have to have it immediately.

            Our TV is on demand, our food is fast and our communication is instantaneous. You can be married on the spot and, in some places, be divorced just as quickly. Our transportation gets faster every year and our technology every two.



            But where is this culture of now leading us? From the standpoint of a foreign national, we appear spoiled and entitled; pretentious even. And why is waiting so bad? "If I cannot have what I want now, it isn't worth having." At least, this is the way our culture thinks.

            And don't misunderstand, I'm not saying that we should have to wait for everything, nor that fast things are bad. But instead I am saying that if we do not temper our extreme need for instantaneous gratification, we will lose our ability to value the true worth of everything.

   Which of the following are you more likely to savor?

     1. Ice cream that came from the frozen foods section at a supermarket.

     2. Ice cream that was made before your eyes.

from: twirlingclare.blogspot.com

The personal time that went into the latter is what makes it worth delighting in. It was worth the wait.

           The same applies to other areas of life too. Take the afore mentioned marriage for example. If it is rushed into, aspects of the relationship may be under-formed. Either person may be emotionally unable to function in this new setting. But if time is given to take the proper measures, both persons can be fully prepared for the actual marriage. The difficulty here being "how long is long enough?" This will depend on the individual and their maturity level.


   The point here is that waiting isn't a bad thing.




Next: Biblical Waiting.