hey, waiter!
"They had been rushed out of Egypt and had no opportunity even to prepare food for the journey. The time the Israelites had stayed in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years." —Exodus 12:39-40
Sometimes it seems like the Lord is not moving at all. We wait seemingly for years and nothing changes. Then He moves so fast that we don't even have time to get ready or grab a bite to eat (Ex 12:39). We are hard-pressed to keep up with Him. With God, our heritage is not so much in the final destination as it is in the waiting. If we wait well, then we'll be ready to move into freedom well.
The Israelites were unprepared for freedom. They couldn't trust God to deliver them from the peoples of the land (Nm 14:1ff) even though they had recently walked between walls of water. They had seen those same walls of water swallow the mighty army of Egypt which pursued them. Perhaps the Israelites hadn't used their waiting to grow in trusting God, and so weren't ready to trust God when He started moving in power on their behalf.
If we wait well — in vigilance, love, and trust — we will be better prepared to live in freedom once the waiting is over. "Make the most of the present opportunity" (Eph 5:16) during which you are waiting. Ask God to help you grow in trust in Him, in knowledge of Him, and in love for Him. Be free now, so you can be free when the waiting is over forever.
Prayer: Father, "while waiting for" what I need from You, may I "make every effort to be found without stain or defilement, and at peace in [Your] sight" (2 Pt 3:14).
Promise: "Many people followed [Jesus] and He cured them all." —Mt 12:16
Praise: Our Lady of Mount Carmel points us to the Most High One. She promised her Son would transform our lives if we would repent.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 20, 2004
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