The Value Of Waiting
- Imogen Cook
- Dec 20, 2022
- 4 min read
Do you remember as a kid how the lead up to Christmas seemed so slow? Let’s be real, the opening of presents was one of the best experiences of our young lives; wouldn’t you agree? But because we had to wait for it, the lead up seemed to linger. Our patience wore thin because we really just wanted it immediately and waiting for it seemed almost unbearable!
Now as grown ups, the excitement to open presents might be less important (although for some of us that won’t be true.) But nevertheless, to wait for something we really want has always been a hard part of being human.
Being impatient.
As we are only a couple of weeks away from 2023, let’s reflect on the new years we’ve experienced in the past. How true is it that when we get motivation to set some goals, we write them out and make a plan to achieve them. But, after a few weeks or even a few days, we check on our progress and realise we’re not seeing results. So we give up, either consciously or unconsciously, because it’s taking too long.
I shudder to think how many good habits, new skills, or experiences I could have had in my life if only I had stuck to my goals long term. Being impatient certainly is a big part of my regrets.
I have also found in my relationship with God that patience is key. When I accepted Jesus as my Saviour at 10 years old, I didn’t recognise that a complete commitment to Him required giving Him full control over my life. To allow things to happen in His timing, not my own.
Now almost 20 years later, I still struggle with this. I know in my heart that I trust God and I believe He can and will guide me down the right paths. I just need to let go of that voice that encourages me to follow my own path. I need to make the daily choice for God to lead me, not the other way around.
Jingle Jangle
My movie illustration fits in perfectly with this Christmas season.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Story (2020) is a fantastical movie that follows Jeronicus Jangle and his family. Jeronicus is an amazing inventor and toymaker who owns his own shop called ‘Jangles and Things’. After spending a lot of time on his greatest invention yet, he receives in the post the final ingredient he needs: the component to bring a sentient matador doll to life named Don Juan Diego.
Jeronicus’ apprentice, Gustafson, is also an aspiring inventor. He has a unique invention called the twirly whirly that he wants Jeronicus’ help in completing. Yet in the excitement of his new doll, Jeronicus rushes out to celebrate with his family. Feeling tossed aside, he decides to steal Don Juan Diego, and Jeronicus’ book of toy designs, and then leaves to start his own company.
Cut to 30 years later, Jeronicus is broke and Gustafson is a famous toy maker. Up until now, Gustafson has used all of Jeronicus’ designs and now has no ideas left. That is until he steals another invention from Jeronicus; a forgotten toy that is found in Jeronicus’s workshop by his granddaughter Journey.
It might go without saying, but Gustafson’s antics get found out at the end. He gets caught, but before the police take him away to jail, Jeronicus gives him a gift. It’s the missing component Gustafson needed for his twirly whirly invention. It is revealed that he was going to give it to him the night he stole everything from Jeronicus.
What was said next is the part that really got me in this movie.
“I would have shown you everything… if only you’d waited.” - Jeronicus Jangle.
Look at the expression on Jeronicus’ face. That’s the face of a master who wants the very best for his student. I feel this is close to how God feels about us. God who created us so specifically and uniquely only wants the very best for us. He knows exactly what the best is, but often we get it into our heads that we know what’s best for us.
But what’s crazy, and it’s illustrated so well in this movie, is when you become aware of just how close you were to receiving what you wanted, but you were just too impatient. Instead, you made a decision that threw you off the path from receiving that blessing. How many times do you think this has happened to you?
When we see the look on Gustafson’s face, it’s clear to see he’s disappointed to realise what he’s missed out on. To know that if he had only waited another hour or two, the past 30 years would have been a lot different.
This is exactly what I picture Jesus saying to us. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to get to the day where I meet Jesus face to face and He says ‘you missed out on some amazing things because you weren’t patient with God’s timing.’ Writing that sentence alone has got me thinking of what I need to do differently in 2023.
It absolutely takes practice, and we’ll never be perfect. But, if we try to exercise some patience, God will honour it. He’ll see the heart behind your attempts to do better. His reward is great! If not revealed to us here on earth, then definitely in heaven.
Putting it into action.
“Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting - for He will never disappoint you!” Psalm 27:14 TPT.
My encouragement to you in this Christmas and New Year season is simple; when you feel the need to rush ahead or run down a path you think God doesn’t want you to go down, go back to God and talk it out with Him. But also in this season, remember to just sit and wait on the Lord, make sure you’re not the one doing all the talking.
I pray that you have a wonderful Christmas season and that God will bless you abundantly. Through the highs and the lows, may you remember that God wants the best for you!
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