Waiting Room

My ex-dentist had a waiting room that drove me nuts. The TV would always be blaring on a day-time show that was discussing something inappropriate. There would always be some kids playing on a video-game system connected to a second TV. And there was a little refrigerator stocked with sugary drinks in a corner. Why anyone would need that much distraction while waiting is beyond me! I’ve noticed that most waiting rooms have a lot of noise. Most people feel the need to be entertained while they are waiting.  I try to take my own reading material and writing implements when I know I will have to wait somewhere. I must admit it’s difficult to concentrate in public places because of all the noise.

I imagine that this earthly life is merely a waiting room before our appointment with God.

“With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.” (2 Peter 3:8-9 MSG)

Instead of looking for distractions and entertainment, we can choose to use our waiting time to contemplate, to change, and to grow closer to God. Contemplation and study are essential to self-awareness as well as awareness of God. The deeper we dig into our interior, the closer we get to sensing that God controls everything. This leads to a metamorphosis from the inside out—a slow, imperceptible change—that sometimes takes decades. We imagine that we are waiting on God. However, God is waiting patiently for us to change, to draw closer.