The Waiting

Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary - Isaiah 40:31





I'm a few days out from Ironman Wisconsin, sitting in a hotel room after a brief, easy workout, in full taper mode. All of the hard work is behind me. The miles logged on the bike these past six months are in the thousands, the run miles not far behind, and there were countless laps in the pool. I'm ready, the tough part is over - or is it? Throughout 25 years of competing, I've always struggled the most with backing off and waiting for race day. It's never easy for me. You wonder if you've done enough, or done too much. Despite the time you put in, you always seem to second guess yourself - even with the satisfaction of knowing the long workouts are behind you. Intuitively I know I am ready, but the doubt remains, and I think it's just human nature. So now I wait, and mentally prepare for what is to come.

Even though it is hard for me to slow things down and wait, I know it's critically important to do so. My body recovers, I regain strength, I refocus my mind, and I recharge my energy levels. All good things which will prove vital when you're competing in an Ironman. Slowing down and backing off, and simply waiting is often what we are called to do on our life journey. We go all out, thinking there's always something else we should be doing, when we'd often be better off slowing down and waiting....meditating on His word, listening for His direction. The Bible makes reference to waiting well over 40 times - so clearly, it must be something we need to be doing more often.

In Isaiah 40:31, the Lord uses an eagle to drive home a point to us about waiting...and the parallel for our lives shouldn't be lost . The eagle reaches a time in its life when it must deal with a harsh trial of endurance and change. At that moment, they can't fly because their feathers become overgrown - it's God's way of shutting them down for awhile. They pluck all the feathers from their body. They pluck the talons from their feet because the talons have grown curled and useless. Their beak grows too long and curled, so they break it off against a rock. Effectively, they become defenseless... they cry out and wait for the time of renewal. It's part of nature's cycle. Other eagles hear the cries and come to their aid. They fly overhead, scaring off predators, bringing food to their incapacitated friend. The eagle eventually recovers, regaining strength to soar again.

As with the eagle, God allows us to go through harsh trials of endurance and change. This is necessary to shape our Christian character and faith. In such time we need to unite with the Lord by waiting upon Him....because that day will come when we are ready to soar again, under full strength and power.

BELIEVE.