Stand and Wait

This morning I was frustrated.  To be totally transparent, I was praying at the time. I was frustrated that God didn’t seem to be moving fast enough in His answers.  I found myself fussing at God about how long I was just sitting around waiting for Him to come through with some changes around here.  I mean, I’m trying to serve HIM, I said.  I’m available; I’m ready.  I’m just waiting on Him, I reminded Him.  

And like a lightning bolt, the line came to my mind, “They also serve who only stand and wait.” 

That’s not Scripture, by the way, in case you’re mentally reviewing the epistles.  It’s John Milton, from his poem, “On His Blindness” which he wrote after going completely blind.   The poem is tragic but brilliant.  We memorized it in high school (side note: I really had an INCREDIBLE education, and *definitely* didn’t appreciate it then).   So when this line popped into my mind, I knew it was from a poem I learned in English class, but I had to look it up to remember it all.  It’s not a long poem, but this is the powerful part: 

“….God doth not need 

Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best

Bear his mild yoke, they serve Him best.  His

state

is Kingly: thousands at his bidding speed

And post o’er land and ocean without rest;

They also serve who only stand and wait.”

I’ve graduated from a lot of schools, and I’ve worked hard to develop specific skills. But I’m still learning how to wait.  

How to stand and bear His yoke.

How to trust that all my work and gifts aren’t worth as much as my surrendered will.  

Putting myself in His control is the “mild yoke” which serves Him best.  He doesn’t need Ariel Rainey making the game plan.  God forbid.  He needs me to wait.  Bear his yoke.  Listen. Serve. And sigh …probably wait some more.

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14)