On Waiting

A couple weeks ago I read some very interesting information about the growth of certain types of Chinese bamboo.  I came across this info in the last lesson of the Women of Faith Bible study Listening For The Voice of God: Growing in Faith Everyday, then did some other reading online about this interesting process.

The study told how to grow Chinese bamboo, you plant a seed and then water and fertilize it.  However, you don't see results right away.  In fact for the next few years, you have to wait, watering and fertilizing the soil while nothing happens above the surface.  In the fifth year, a shoot of bamboo will pierce the soil and then all of a sudden, a Chinese bamboo tree will grow rapidly to nearly 90 feet tall in just six weeks.

It seems that the tree grew remarkably fast; however, the process leading up to this rapid growth took years.  The necessary process for growth was actually happening under the surface for a long time before the tree shot up and visible, measurable growth and results were seen.

My husband and I have been seeking God intently regarding some areas of our lives for quite some time now.  We've asked Him some serious questions, had some difficult conversations, and have asked God for specific and clear answers.  And we've been waiting.  I feel like our lives have been "in process" if you will.  It has been painful at times and other times easier, but I know one thing.  We have, in a unique way, been growing.  God has been working under the surface as He has allowed us to sit in one of the "waiting rooms of life" as I like to call them.

*photo credit google images

Here's the thing.  I have a strong feeling that many of you out there are in one of those waiting rooms as well.  You are waiting for answers, direction, results, healing, wisdom, information, clarity, relief, leading, or something else.  You may be waiting for something exciting -  the birth of a child, an adoption to go through, a new job, a big promotion, a special vacation.  You may be waiting for something unknown - God to bring you a spouse, or allow you to conceive a child, or to give you some hint of His plan for your life.  You may even be waiting for something difficult - an upcoming surgery, medical test results that could change everything, someone to pay you a debt you are owed, a court date.

You, like us, may know that those who wait up on the Lord renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31).  You may believe that we are not to grow weary while doing good (Galatians 6:9).  You may trust that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).  You may be claiming those Scriptures, but still finding the waiting room to be an uninviting place.  I want to encourage you this day to let God grow you in the waiting.  Like the bamboo seed that germinates under the surface for years before rapid growth is seen, we can patiently surrender as God work out His growth process in us over time, and continue to be faithful to Him until our sprouts take root and shoot to the sky.

As I have been pondering all of this, I couldn't help but think of the song While I'm Waiting from the inspiring movie Fireproof.  If you have three minutes, take the time to go to the link for this song and listen carefully to the lyrics.  They are so poignant; I am inspired as the artist sings that while waiting on the Lord is not easy, we can still move forward in obedience to Him and confidence in Him.  We can serve God while we're waiting. We can worship while we're waiting.

And we can let Him grow us, even if it is in quiet ways under the surface of our hearts, while we wait on His perfect will and plan to be accomplished in our lives.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

James 1:4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.


Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!