April 1, 2010
 
DEVOTION: Waiting and Wandering Away...
 
By Beth Bondurant
 
Much of our time spent for health care is waiting... for an appointment... to be called in to see the doctor... for a specific procedure that is scheduled for later... for healing and recovery after a bout with sickness or surgery ... for restoration to health and vitality.
 
During this period of time when one wonders about so many problems in our scant economy... our strained relationship to other countries... our separated families and stress filled youth... our suffering children .... our self righteous leaders... we often surrender our quiescence for rapid change rather than meditative waiting.
 
Even simple time lines of waiting for the first flowers of spring... return of the hummingbirds... warm walks in the neighborhood... find us wandering around in a frenzy of activity... instead of watchful waiting.
 
How long do you wait in prayerful "listening"... or does the silence of darkness spur you to seek artificial light from any surrounding source.
 
Nothing much has changed over the years ... as most generations want God to "Save us now!". This process of restoration to perfect love requires too much waiting.
 
So we wander away... and like the constant clicking of the channel changer, we look for wholeness and healing to come into clear view with immediate comfort.
 
Holy week isn't easy... and it takes time to wait with expectancy until we experience fully the meaning of God's omnific renewal of heart, mind, body and spirit.
 
Scriptures remind us that those closest to "God incarnate"... couldn't wait.
 
"Before this night is over, you're going to fall to pieces because of what happens to me."
 
"Can't you stick it out with me even a single hour... but they simply couldn't keep their eyes open."
 
"After the betrayer comes, all the disciples ran away."
 
Most often we don't wait... but wander away... tossed and turned by the trauma of today.
 
LOVE WILL PREVAIL. God will "make all things new...
in God's time."
 
"Those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles."