Waiting is Active

Acts 1:13-14 “And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”

Upon returning to Jerusalem, the disciples commune together with the women in the upper room and wait. It says that they “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.” It’s clear that this was an intentional time of seeking the Lord through prayer and through the scriptures — they weren’t just killing time. The word “wait” has become a static and inactive action in the mind of most, but its etymology and use in scripture is anything but static.

Most mentions of the word “wait” in scripture are in reference to overtaking an enemy. The phrase “to lie in wait” means to ambush. In further considering the origins of the word in English, “wait” is derived from the Old Northern French word “waitier” meaning to watch, to be awake, to be attentive. It helps to think of a waiter or waitress at a restaurant. Waiting on a table is an active service; it is to be watchful and to anticipate needs, rather than be stationary and aimlessly allow time to pass. Waiting is an active verb.

If we are “waiting on the Lord” in any area of our lives, then we need to pursue actions that support that. If we are waiting on the Lord for a job, then we need to start applying. If we are waiting on the Lord for a wife or husband, then we need to first start maturing in a relationship with Him. If we are waiting on the Lord to be sent, than we need to start serving where we are.