UNITING Braids and Lives. While Actively Waiting. LINKY

Having blonde, naturally stick straight hair; it can sometimes be a challenge, trying to fix my adopted daughter’s African American kinky hair.  The other day, it took two of us.  My husband and I.  Together.

Our six-year-old sat on a bench.  While we each grabbed two strands of hair.  Lathered them.  Then, wound them tightly around each other.

Twisting. Winding.  Gathering. Intertwining. Two strands of hair.  

Nearly two hours later. We were done.

And there seemed to be a theme here.  But, I didn’t get it.  At first.

I go to church and sing, “Faith will rise as we wait upon the Lord….wait upon the Lord….wait upon the Lord.”  Everywhere I go, the word, “wait” aggravates the depth of my being.

See, sometimes we take what we have learned, and apply it to what we hear.  Then, through the filter of our tainted understanding, we filter sand, from water that was meant to be pure.

The word, “wait” used over one hundred times in the Bible.  Yet the theme throughout scripture, still calls us to “wait”.

• “Wait” for the coming King.  
• “Wait” for the day of our Salvation. 
• “Wait” for the Lord to vindicate our enemies…
• “Wait.” “Wait.” “Wait.”

But the verse that struck me?

See, “waiting” in my culture doesn’t equate, strength. According to culture…

• Power means strength.  
• Body building or fitness means strength.  
• Money or prestige equals strength. 
• Image, influence, education, or success gives people strength.

But, “wait”?  How does that equal strength?

Then, I read….

“Wait” in the Hebrew being “qavah”.  It’s a verb.  Meaning two things….

1)  Hope, look for, expect.
2)  To collect, bind together (with the life of God).

The part that shocked me?  “Qavah” is not a noun, but a verb.

“Wait” in the Bible doesn’t mean, sit down.  Rest.  Stop doing what your doing.  What it does mean is to continue going about your routines. Fervently, patiently hoping that He will consummate His rule….in His time.

“Quavah” also means, to actively intertwine our lives with Gods.  Like the braids of my daughter.  Weaving ourselves in.  And around.  And through one another.

It is in the intertwining all things with God, where we are made strong.  Not in the English, noun-like, passive understanding of the word, “wait”.

He who “waits”….according to scripture….is continually, actively, hopefully expecting; while twisting His life with Gods.

Another Hebrew word for “wait” in scripture is “Yachal”.  It means….Trust. Patient hope.  To remain in anticipation.  Waiting, while not taking matters into one’s own hands.

So, why is waiting so hard?

• Is it because we think “waiting” means sit passively by, brain dead?  
• Is it because we want to run ahead of God, for in Him we don’t trust?  
• Is it because, we want to be the God of our situations, simply discontent that He is taking so long?

I struggle with these questions and more.  Like a mother, carrying an infant of great faith, deep in her womb.  I want to bring so many visions He has planted, like seeds in my heart, right now to birth.

But, I know…only the God of the Universe knows the time, path, and the fruit of what He is doing.  

And isn’t it…

The longer we wait.  The healthier the baby?  The better the eternal gift?

And don’t we want to give birth to visions, full in meaning.  Purposes rich with the life He wants to use as a witness in us?

Days later.  I try to take out my daughter’s twisted dread locks.  I think it will be quick. But, like those who wait on the Lord, and become one with His purposes…

It is hard to find the line between each strand we originally started with.

Separating tightly wound hair, or lives, can be difficult.

And oh, how I want to be like that.  So intertwined with God, while I am waiting….that there is no dividing us.

So UNITED with His intentions.  With His will.  With His purposes.  That when He says stand.  And go….

It will be natural.  And effortless.

So, I urge you today, friend. Whatever you are going through today.  UNITE with Him.  Actually “wait”….trusting, hoping, believing….He will bring good out of your circumstances.

• He is a God who does not disappoint.
• He is a God whose arm is not too short that it cannot save.
• He is a God who will bring salvation to those who look to, wait, and listen to His ways.

How can you be more UNITED with Him today?