You and a friend talk about getting together . . . and then you wait for their text. Nothing. You wonder what’s wrong. Did you offend them? Did they really not want to get together? Finally, you brave a text and ask about meeting up. Funny thing is, they were thinking the same thing! Two people waiting for the other to take action.

I was reminded recently that we do the same thing with God. I hadn’t really thought about it before—that the waiting can happen both ways. Typically, I focus on myself. I ruminate and list and pray about all the things I am waiting for God to do or provide.

Then I heard the song “Wait For Me” by Zach Williams. He sings about how God waits for us even if we take the long way home.

Perhaps my extra “wait time” is because God is waiting for me to do something. Thank the Lord, He is gracious and patient. Isaiah 30:18 says,

“So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
    so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
    Blessed are those who wait for his help” (NLT).

Actually, this verse demonstrates that both God and His people wait and both take action. Nice!

Another verse portrays God’s loving patience in waiting for people to turn to Him for salvation. “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9 NLT). What love!

The next time we find ourselves waiting on God, let’s remember, perhaps He is waiting on us.