What are you waiting for? A job promotion or simply a job to pay the bills? A husband or wife to complete you, or a better version of the husband or wife you are married to? (So much more on that!) Maybe for the baby you desperately desire and cannot conceive? Perhaps you’ve had a life changing diagnosis, you are waiting for a cure and there is so much life you may not have a chance to live. I could fill pages listing the various ways we wait in this life. Fill in the blank: When I grow up, I will  ____________. When I have a career, I will _________. When I own my own home, I will __________. When I have children of my own, I will __________. When I retire, I will __________.

And then life happens. Continuing our sermon series on Joseph, waiting was my takeaway. Joseph was the favored son, sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused and sent to prison and promised he would be remembered. Pharaohs cupbearer was released from prison just as Joseph told him after interpreting his dream. But he did not remember Joseph for two more years. It would be a total of 13 years from the time Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused of rape by Potiphar’s wife and forgotten by the cupbearer.

I would be having a pity party on a grand scale if that were me. I do not handle betrayal, being falsely accused or forgotten very well. Not at all. My feelings can easily override what I know to be true about God. Joseph did not. He most likely had times of doubt and discouragement, yet not so much that God was not on the throne of his heart.

Once the cupbearer remembered, due to the disturbing dreams Pharaoh had, Joseph was released and brought before the man who was over the land of Egypt. Joseph interpreted the dreams, which were the same message. There would be a severe famine in all the land after seven years of plenty. Not only did God give Joseph the wisdom to interpret the dream, but also the solution to survive the famine. In the seeming blink of an eye, Joseph went from being in prison, to a high-ranking position. God placed this still very young man in a position of power, second only to Pharaoh.

Yet it was not a blink. It was thirteen years. I do not have the history of Joseph, but I know what it’s like to wait. I’m not terribly fond of waiting, as anyone who knows me would confirm! I am waiting to see my offspring love and serve God in the way He created them. I’m waiting for relationships to be restored and renewed. I’m waiting to be wiser, more healthy and fit and to not be such a “big feeler”.

God's timing is always perfect. Not based on fickle humans, but because He is God. Time was created for us. Finite, flawed and fickle. We need ways to measure our seconds, minutes, hours, days and weeks. Decades come and go, seemingly in a blink. 2 Peter 3:8; “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

So, what are you waiting for? Press into the heart of God, through reading His word, connecting through prayer and asking others who know, believe and follow Christ day in and day out, to pray with and for you. Whatever it is you are waiting for, God is faithful. The answer and outcome may not look like what you thought, but it will be the best. God said so!

Are you a part of a faith community that knows and loves you? If not, please take the steps necessary for it to be a reality in your life. If you live in Northeast Wisconsin, seek me out on Sunday morning at Lakeside Community Church. E6295 County Rd K, Algoma, WI 54201