Hurry Up and Wait

Wikipedia defines "hurry up and wait" as any scenario where part of the time you are rushing and working very hard and part of the time you are waiting around and prepared to work on demand when needed.  The expression seems to have originated from movie productions where most of the crew sit around watching the film director and actors until their services are needed and they rush to do what is necessary to get ready for the next part of the production.

I’m sure you have had such “hurry up and wait” experiences. You rush to make an appointment on time only to find that you have to wait.  It most frequently happens in doctors and dentists offices, but happens in stores, too.  When you’re ready to check out with only a few items, you get in the express line and find that the person ahead you has more than the limited number of items or has a problem with a credit card! 

I confess.  I do not like waiting.  Waiting calls for patience, something I don’t have a lot of. I have to constantly work on being patient. This is a spiritual challenge and a growing edge toward more faith-filled living. 

The Bible is full of references to patience. The Psalmist wrote these words: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14); “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” (Psalm 37:7) Scriptures also challenge us with such words as these: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another” (Colossians 3:12-13);   “And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:11-12 ) 

According to scriptures, patience is a “virtue” and a sign of the “fruit of the spirit.” Practicing patience is not an elective, but a requirement for a lifestyle of faithful living. I am not there yet, but I take some comfort in knowing that I am always a work in progress, grateful for God’s abundant patience with me.  Challenged by life’s “hurry up and wait” moments I strive to be more patient by seeking and claiming that spiritual gift.

Saint Francis de Sales expressed the challenge this way:  “Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them – every day, begin the task anew.”  Good advice as we deal with the “hurry up and wait” experiences of life!