Remember those days in elementary school when we first learned to wait in line? We had to line up to go to recess, the cafeteria, the restroom, and the drinking fountain. Today, we stand in line at the bank, post office, grocery store, and many other places. I'm sure that you can think of particular occasions in your own life that require the dreaded wait. Even in heavy traffic, we sometimes must wait. A family member told me that she recently contended with L.A. traffic. It took her one hour to travel seven miles!
Have you ever visited Disneyland? My last visit was several years ago when I decided that my trip wouldn't be complete without riding on their newest attraction. Did you know that I waited for over two hours just to ride something that lasted less than five minutes? Was it worth it? I had mixed emotions. I was glad to experience the thrill, but disappointed that I had to wait such a long time.
On my commute to work several years ago, I observed the construction of a Mormon temple. As the structure took shape, I wondered what it looked like inside. Visitors were allowed to take an inside tour for a few weeks — until the official dedication. Only certain people had tickets. It was one of those situations where you had to "know someone, who knew someone, who had special connections." Out of the blue, one of my co-workers mentioned that she had two tickets, and offered one to me. The only stipulation was that I had to go on a specific day, at a specified time. I went and waited in a very long line. I didn't mind the wait, since I knew that it was my only opportunity.
Have you been watching television lately? If you have, you probably saw the throngs of people lined up at the Vatican to pay their respects to Pope John Paul II. The news has estimated that four-million people visited St. Peter's Basilica. The news reporters have interviewed people standing in line. One lady said that she would stand there for two days if necessary. The people have been motivated to stand and wait. I visited the Vatican in the summer of 2002, on a tour group with Christian friends. It was different then. We waited in a line, but it wasn't very long. We weren't there to pay our respects to anyone — it was on our itinerary of famous places to visit.
Are you waiting in line for something? Maybe you're not waiting in a physical line. Your mental line might involve a different kind of wait: an event to happen, an illness to go away, a degree to be completed, a baby to be born, a decision to be made, a financial deal to go through, or something else. I hope your wait is worthy of your time!
There is one wait, however, that I'm sure is worthy of your time!
Those who wait upon the LORD Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)
