What Are You Waiting For?

“I will give Thee thanks forever, because Thou hast done it, And I will wait on Thy name, for it is good, in the presence of Thy godly ones.” Ps. 52:9, NASB

Curiously, audibly, I questioned the Lord, “What does it mean to ‘wait on Your name?'”

Waiting. The Bible contains countless verses instructing us to wait, yet this world encourages the complete opposite. While we don’t need to wonder which way yields success, we do need to learn the discipline of waiting.

A quick search online confirmed a fact I’d previously encountered: “In Judaism, a name is not merely a conglomeration of letters put together as a convenient way to refer to someone. Ideally, it is a definition of the individual – a description of his personality and an interpretation of his traits.” (http://www.torah.org/features/par-kids/names.html)

In. Other. Words. Waiting on God’s name equals waiting on all He is.

• Unsure of how to handle a situation? Wait on God’s wisdom.
• Anxious about making ends meet? Wait on God’s faithfulness.
• Longing for a dream to become reality? Wait on God’s goodness, knowing He gives us the desires of our hearts when we delight in Him (see Ps. 37:4). He’ll even change our heart — our dream — to fit His will if need be.

I’ve been waiting a long time for traditional publishing. Though this desire doesn’t absorb me like previously, my dream lives. But through the process of waiting, I’ve changed.  Definitely I recognize my unpreparedness at this writing journey’s outset. Graciously God has led me on — teaching, training, purifying me along the way.

Years ago, after an editor rejected my manuscript, the Lord pressed Psalm 27:14 on my heart:

 Wait for the LORD; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.

While this clear instruction didn’t thrill me, God indeed has grown me while I’ve waited. Patiently, kindly, wisely, God has granted opportunities to improve my writing and speaking skills. Lovingly He continues to emphasize love’s necessity in all I do — for without it I’m nothing (1 Cor. 13). Wonderfully He’s drawn me closer to His tender heart.

After almost four years, I’m registered to attend another writer’s conference next weekend. Opportunities will abound to meet fellow writers as well as editors, agents, and professionals in the field. I don’t have a proposal to submit. Much preparation remains. Yet I sense God’s peace blanketing me in layers like crystal white snow falling on the ground.

Am I ready? Not fully. But HE is. The Lord is sending me to this conference, and I know His purposes for me at this event will be accomplished. He’s by my side. Honestly with that truth enveloping me, what more could I want?

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. (Ps. 23:1)

Friend, what are you waiting for? I know, the wait feels endless at times. Yet our eternal God dwells outside time. HE stands by our side. HE embodies all we need.

Let’s WAIT on His name.

photo credit: mao_lini via photopin cc