What comes to mind when you think of “waiting” for someone? If I’m honest, my initial response to waiting is not a positive one, but rather one of irritation. I mean, while I’m waiting for someone to arrive, I could be doing something I had on “my” list of to-do’s, right? Who does that other person think they are, making me wait like that?! Does that resonate with you? (Come on people, don’t leave me hanging here).
When I read our key passage, that was the direction my mind was going, and I was really surprised to find that “wait” in the Hebrew language (qāvâ) means to bind together (perhaps by twisting); to collect. It was only used figuratively to mean, to expect or patiently wait for.
As I pondered the “binding together” concept, what came to mind was my time on the tractor. When I’m out mowing, my hair will blow across my face, obscuring my vision, and I will need to “bind” it together in a ponytail so I can see clearly. As I sat in that for a moment, the Spirit reminded me of a familiar verse that was part of the 1 Peter study I had just completed.
“…casting all your anxieties on the Lord…” (1 Peter 5:7)
When I studied that verse last week, I learned that the Greek word for “anxieties” (merimna) included the word distractions in its definition . As I looked at other passages where (merimna) was used, I found that Jesus used that word when He spoke to Martha in Luke 10:38-42.
The story goes that Martha was entertaining Jesus, and she was all fussed up about her sister not helping her. So much so that she actually went to Jesus and asked Him to tell Mary to help her. Jesus’ response was, “Martha, Martha, you are worried (merimna) about many things…but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her”. What was the good portion that wouldn’t be taken from Mary? Sitting at Jesus feet!
That’s when God showed me the connection between what I studied last week and what I was studying this morning. I LOVE when He lovingly connects the dots!!
Life is busy and full of distractions, and just like Martha, we can easily allow what’s happening “around” us to affect what is going on “within” us. How does that happen? It happens by allowing things to divert our focus off the main thing – JESUS!
SOLI DEO GLORIA
We were created to bring God glory alone. That is our purpose. That is why we as believers were chosen and regenerated.
Believers have an enemy. Peter calls him out in 1 Peter 5:8 — “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour”. One of his tactics is to overwhelm us with busyness and distractions so that our minds are “all over the place”. If our minds are all over the place, like my hair was on the tractor, they need bound together so they don’t obscure our vision.
Is life busy? Yes. Do we get distracted easily? Absolutely. But being busy on the outside doesn’t have to mean we are distracted and scattered on the inside. We can choose to live out the words of the Psalmist – “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits” – binding together all our distractions and anxious thoughts and turning our focus to the Lord.
The wonderful result of that binding is the realization that “with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with Him is plentiful redemption”, (Psalm 130:7).
So where does all this leave us? We have a choice to make. Will I sit in my anxious thoughts, distracted in my very soul? OR…will I focus on the steadfast love of my God? I don’t know about you but I’m gonna get to binding because I need my vision of God clear and unobscured.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace (inward) I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives (circumstantial).
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
~~John 14:27~~
When we bind our distracted thoughts, and when we focus on God’s goodness, His steadfast love, and His plentiful redemption, we will not only experience His peace, but our lives will radiate His peace. What better way to demonstrate what a relationship with Jesus looks like? What better way to bring Him glory than to reflect His peace to the troubled world around us?