Productive Waiting

Acts 17:16-17 “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present.”

What do you do when you are waiting? There are often times when we must wait for things we want to happen. Opportunities don’t always open immediately and people don’t always show up on time. Waiting is a big part of the human experience.

With short periods of waiting like sitting in the school parking lot waiting for a sports practice to end it is easy to become engrossed with a smart phone or tablet. What better time to look at Facebook or check e-mails? But in other circumstances the duration of our wait can be days, months, or even years. What should we do then?

The Apostle Paul had times of waiting too. In Acts 17 he had just arrived in Athens after hightailing it out of Berea where some disagreeable people had stirred up the crowds against him. He was alone waiting for Silas and Timothy to catch up and join him in this big city. You would think this would be a good time for him to get some rest – maybe blend into the scenery and do some sightseeing, But that was not Paul’s way.

While there he observed all that was going on and his spirit was disturbed by what he saw. The city of Athens was full of idols, which the people worshiped religiously. They were so afraid of offending a deity that they had even built an altar “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.” Paul was so moved by what he observed that every day he spent his time reasoning in the synagogue and in the market place. He took every opportunity he got to explain Who the real God, the Maker of heaven and earth was, and the salvation He had procured for all who believed.

What an example of how to live our lives! We are only on this earth for a short time, so we should use our time wisely. Whatever you are waiting for, make sure you continue to observe all that is going on around you. Don’t just veg out. Get things that need to be completed done so that you will be ready when God calls. And make sure you look for opportunities to speak the truth to all you meet. You won’t regret it! Productive waiting is worth the effort.

Love,

Mama