Waiting: A Poem

We all find ourselves in seasons of waiting. Sometimes those are active seasons, working hard to reach a goal. Sometimes those are quiet seasons, sitting in the Lordโ€™s presence and waiting on Him to do what we canโ€™t do for ourselves.

In times of waiting, my heart can echo the Psalmistโ€™s cry, โ€œHow long, O Lord?โ€ (Psalm 13:1). Yet God keeps reminding me that He is the God who sees meโ€”even as He saw Hagar in the desert, even as he saw Nathanael under the fig tree. He sees us in our waiting. He hears our cries for help. He is with us.

In this poem, I tried to capture that tension of living in the longing and Godโ€™s presence.



How long, O Lord?

Life is a airport terminal
sitting on an uncomfortable seat
waiting.

When will I
reach that point
meet that person
find that answer
heal these hurts
find relief?

How long

until

I get what I want?

What do I want?

An end to loneliness.
Safety that isn't an illusion.
Peace.
Freedom.
Love.

I get so caught up in what I don't have
that my eyes can't see what I do:

You with me.
Emmanuel.

Already. Not yet.

You invite me
to be present in this journey
more than captivated by
what I don't have
what I think I need.

And You give me
the desires of my heart.

Teach me to long for Your future
and be content in our present.

What are you waiting for? Where is Godโ€™s presence in the midst of your waiting?

May He give us eyes to see Him in the journey.

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