As an elementary school principal, I am periodically drawn aside by a younger student who asks me to bend down so he can whisper in my ear, "Billy said a bad word." In some instances, the word really does qualify. In other cases, it is a "bad" word in that child's home, but perhaps not one seen as bad by many others. One day, a boy told me a classmate had said the "sh" word. Due to the age of the students, I was really shocked. I assured the teller I would address the infraction with the guilty party. Just to make sure I had understood, I asked the student if indeed the classmate had used a word starting with "sh". "Yes," replied the reporter. "Billy said to 'shut-up'." Not exactly the "sh" word that had come to my mind.
If I had to choose one four-letter word that I find most egregious, it would be "wait". I want things done now, problems resolved yesterday and immediate results. Planning is good, but doing is better. Why wait when I can act? Over the years, I have learned that many times waiting is not just the best option, often it is the only option.
The Bible is replete with verses admonishing Believers to wait on the Lord. From the instructions Moses gave the Israelites in Numbers 9:7-9 to Jude 1:20-22, God's children are instructed to be patient and allow God to instruct, guide and "fix things" in accordance with His perfect timing.
However, this time of waiting should not be passive. While I wait on the Lord I need to "Trust in the LORD and do good"; Take delight in the LORD (and) commit (my) way to the LORD; Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him." Psalm 37:1-7 A season of waiting on the Lord can be a time of great spiritual growth if we will be "active waiters".
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