He’s in the Waiting

by:  Cris Corzine-McCloskey

Happy New Year! I know I’m late telling you that, but I missed last week’s deadline to get my blog submitted. For someone who usually is good at keeping a schedule, I was rather appalled at myself. But I had something more important to do than write articles or run my agency. I was perched by my Daddy’s hospital bed, holding his hand and waiting. Waiting for things to get better, or for things to get a lot harder. Mostly I’ve been waiting to see what Jesus will do.

Years ago, I read a piece of Absurdist literature entitled, “Waiting for Godot.” It centered on two fellas waiting to meet a legendary and mysterious man named Godot. Although no one had actually met or seen the enigmatic Godot, the fellas waiting for him were wildly hopeful he would appear and shake things up. After a long time waiting, they realized their hero was a no show. The story ended with the gents bewildered, disappointed, and questioning the existence of Godot.

Back when I had read the story, I was a heathen who didn’t believe in anything but getting high. I remember applauding the author’s thinly veiled denouncement of the absurdity of people who believe in an unseen God. At that time, I, too, thought anyone who believed in Jesus was a deluded idiot. Now I understand I was the idiot, and it’s absurd to try to make it in this pain-filled world without Jesus.

Sorry if that steps on some toes, but I have lived as a pleasure-seeking skeptic, and as a person of faith, so I know the difference faith makes. I don’t really know how I got here, other than a man named Jesus showed up when I needed Him the most, and something happened to me. I’m not who I used to be. He always shows up when we need Him.

In fact, He has been very visible throughout this ordeal with my Dad. We have seen Him in my Mom’s next-door neighbor who keeps showing up with food at just the right time. We have seen Him in the countless phone calls and texts that keep pouring in. He has been in the room every time a friend stops by to comfort my Dad and pray with Him. He has been inside my Dad, giving hope, encouragement, and strength. He’s holding my Mom and me up. He’s everywhere, and you can’t miss Him if you know what you are looking for. That’s why, in Psalms 46, He calls Himself the “ever-present help in time of need.”

Jesus said in His word visiting the sick is the same as visiting Him. It’s one of the many ways He is present in times of stressful waiting, and there is a lot of stress and waiting involved in illnesses. There is a song performed by Bethel Worship I have been singing called Take Courage. The lyrics say, “Take courage my heart, stay steadfast my soul, He’s in the waiting. Hold on to your hope, as your triumph unfolds, He’s never failing…You who hold the stars, and call them each by name, will surely keep your promise to me that I will rise in your victory.” That’s what I’m discovering, Jesus is definitely in the waiting.

And while I do not know how this thing will turn out, I do know no matter what, He who holds the stars and calls them each by name, also holds our hearts and calls us by name. We belong to Him, whether we are on this side or the next. That’s an ironclad promise signed in His own blood.
If you are in a situation where you are waiting for Him to show up, I challenge you to lift your head. Look around, you will see Him everywhere. He’s not our cosmic genie-in-a-bottle who performs on demand, He is our gentle Savior who carries lambs close to His heart. Trust me, He’s in the waiting.