Cynthia & Jim Rancourt

Northstar Church is currently “waiting” to build our Ministry Center on Price’s Fork Road. For me, waiting is generally difficult and I quickly become impatient. At times, even with a microwave oven only taking thirty seconds to warm a cup of coffee, I interrupt the process with six seconds remaining because I am unwilling to wait. So, my coffee is lukewarm. I should know better because the Bible has a “lukewarm” warning. But, I nevertheless drink the coffee even though I know that waiting leads to a much better outcome. Good things come to those who wait…

Strangely, in the case of the Immeasurably More project I have not had too much trouble waiting for construction to begin. I think there are several reasons why. One reason is that this waiting time has allowed the amount of money that can be put toward the project to increase. On a building project, that’s always a good direction. Waiting also revealed to us the need to add a Prayer Team, which is another important component of the overall IM Team. And, we need to advance this project not on our artificial timeline but in accordance with what we sense to be “in God’s timing.” Admittedly, waiting is not easy. It is easier to be on the other side of the project looking back than it is to be in the in-between times seeing dimly.

I also think it is interesting to see how Scripture reveals new and fresh perspectives on aspects of life depending on what’s going on. As I have been reading about the life of the Apostle Paul, it caught my eye that the author took the time to reveal some really significant waiting that occurred in Paul’s life and in the lives of other people used by God. A few years after Paul’s conversion, he spent three years in isolation basically alone in the desert before beginning his ministry. In some respects he was “waiting.” And, Moses tended sheep for forty years before leading the Israelites out of Egypt. David was anointed king over Israel as a teen but didn’t assume the throne until the age of thirty. Lots of waiting, but no wasted time. Waiting brought Paul, Moses, and David into a more intimate relationship with God and allowed each to be used in a mighty way to advance the Kingdom. Perhaps waiting should be received as a blessing. God things come to those who wait…