The fine art of waiting

I blogged earlier about the Native Alaskan ways of honor. One of ways of honor is expressed like this: Have patience - some things cannot be rushed.

These days I've really come to realise that I can see waiting upon God's time in my life as an act of respect, trust and honor. And that changes the focus from "nothings happens-still nothing happens-not much going on yet" to "Blessed are those who have someone who knows better than they do themselves. So EVEN NOW BE GLAD and REJOICE because you will have open doors through which you will walk, when the time comes, into fruitful works prepared in advance for you to do."

Also read sometime ago an article about time. Shortly put, time can be understood objectively (The buss leaves 16.10.) or subjectively (The buss leaves when it's full, no more room for another passanger on the roof.). This helps me to understand the meaning of waiting. No matter how ready I might be to travel, some other passangers might still be on their way from the neighbouring village. The journey wouldn't be the same without them. Maybe my journey is even changed for good because of them. Maybe theirs is. So my understanding is really limited if I'm stuck in the schedule, "We were supposed to leave 16.10". Thinking of Jesus, I guess he was nowhere on time as he was constantly interrupted on the way.

Read a funny story about Native people's observations on Western people and their spirituality: "It seems that some have turned themselves over to the worship of time as a god, measuring and dividing their lives according to the clock, little knowing that time is a cannibal god who devours his children." That's why I like the nomadic way, the idea of following the opportunities, walking through open doors where they are to be found and when not, herding our flocks on the pastures where we've been led that far. Home nowhere and home everywhere, just the way the Spirit leads. "So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." Instead of watching my watch (havent actually had one in some 8 years now) I hope to gain more sensitivity for the seasons of life, to understand where I should focus on each season.

Jason Upton says it in one of his songs: "It's just a matter of YOUR time." No bigger deal.

Comments

[mari]

that is so true!
i've been thinking about time and how we spend it/understand it in a western world. i think this is a very important issue... i think i need some new way of thinking about this subject.

"hitaasti hyvää tulee...:)"

[Rebecca & Hajo Müller]

Hey Niina
Waiting till the bus is full - I am so looking forward to travelling! It's a challenge to be patient and wait on God and not trying to get on the "safe" side by organising everything. I'll have plenty of opportunities to find out about it I guess. Even have right now...
Love, Rebecca***