Waiting on God.

It’s a very Christian sounding expression. I wonder what it means? I’ve been in Christian leadership for thirty years, have studied theology, Christian history, ministry and Biblical languages. And yet, it’s perhaps the most fundamental aspects of the Christian life that remain shrouded in jargon and spiritual language. Like “waiting on God”.

One thing’s for sure: we don’t wait on him like he’s running late. Or as if he is doing something important and we’re just sitting at the sideline waiting on him. Perhaps a better way to talk about “when it’s just you and God” is talk in terms of relationship.

If you are in a strong, loving relationship you enjoy spending time in the company of the one you love. That’s relationship. You talk about issues that affect one or the other of you. You work through issues between the two of you. Sometimes you’re going somewhere together and you’re sharing the adventure of whatever it is you are going to. Other times, you put time aside to simply be with the other person. Some moments are more intimate in form than others, but all times are intimate in one way or another. When you have a strong, loving relationship, that is.

When it’s just “me and God” is an interesting concept. It’s always just me and God. I know what people mean by the expression. When you’re alone, and there’s no people about. When you’re left with your thoughts and there are no distractions. But honestly, even when people are all around me and I’m engaged in busy activity, there’s still an aspect where it’s just “me and God” because I’ve found that I’m totally in love with him.

Papa is always there, cheering me on, telling me how amazing I am and how incredible his work is that he’s called me to. Jesus is always daring me to go further, deeper, higher and to run the risk of daring great things for God. The Holy Spirit is always with me, teaching me, guiding me, showing how to become a life transformer for those around me. Each day holds the potential for miracles because wherever I go, the Miracle Worker goes with me.

In my alone times, and to be honest, even in my busy times, I reflect all the time. I don’t psychoanalyse. That’s introspective and many people internalise their world too much. But I do reflect. Upwards and outwards. I’ve developed the habit of having one eye towards heaven, looking to see what Papa is doing in each circumstance, one ear towards heaven, listening to the Holy Spirit to hear what he’s saying to me. I look outwards to see the people around me. They’re precious to my Best Friend, and so they’ve become precious to me. Even the broken ones. Even the bad ones.

I allow songs to play over and over in my head. Songs that mean something to me. Like “You’re a good, good Father” or “I will rejoice in the simple Gospel”. Mind you, they don’t have to be overtly Christian songs. I just like music.

I pray in tongues a lot. A whole lot. On some days, I’m sure I speak more words in tongues than English.

I read often. I love the Bible. I love when Papa speaks to me through its pages. I read it in English. I read it in its original language. Mind you, I’m not brilliant, so reading it in original language is REALLY SLOW. But you know, that kind of works for me.

So I wait on the Lord. He’s worth my every devotion, my every thought, my every glance of my eye.

I think a lot. Not specifically talking to God, but he’s there in my thinking.

Waiting on God? Sounds so holy. I’m me and I know that Papa loves me. And he loves it best when I’m me being me, not trying to perform to some incoherent vague expectation.

So I just live my life, knowing that I’m deeply loved by the One who made everything, gave his life for me, and fills me in every way. He’s my Papa and Best Friend. That’s gotta be worth celebrating.