The Art of Waiting

Psalm 130:6

My soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.

The Art of Waiting

There’s a contemporary poet, David Whyte, who often repeats lines of his poetry. I always supposed it was for emphasis, to make sure we didn’t miss what he’s trying to say.

What I hear in these words from the Psalms is an emphasis, but to me it seems as though the repetition is pointing beyond itself, back to the core of the sentence. My Soul Waits for the Lord.

I am beginning to think waiting is an art. When I was younger, I saw waiting as wasted time. I always had something ready to do when spending time in Doctors office waiting rooms, like a book to read or a notebook to write in. But now I think waiting might be an opportunity to pay attention, to be grateful, to listen to our breath. What’s more waiting on the Lord could be a chance to notice God at work in the world. We might find soulful waiting leads us to join in what we see God doing. Or it could that soulful waiting gets us ready to be present when someone else needs the love and compassion that God has planted in us to share.

Reflection Questions:

1) What role does waiting play in your life?

2) What is your soul waiting for at this point in your journey?

3) How might you open yourself up to wait for the Lord?

Prayer: Dear God, Help me to see the opportunity in waiting for you attentively today. Amen