Hurry Up and Wait! Expect Delays!

Ever played that game?  The "hurry up and wait" game?  I was playing it on the freeway from Atlanta just this afternoon.  I was zipping in and out of traffic, trying to get past all of the slow cars, only to get 5 miles up the road where a lane was shut down because a car had caught on fire...and as all of the traffic came to a standstill, I found myself waiting...in the middle of it...unable to move!  Frustrating...but there was nothing I could do about it except embrace it.  I was where I was and no amount of wishing would move me an inch closer or a minute faster towards my goal.

I began to think of all the times I play the "hurry up and wait" game and how it really is rather stupid.  Yet I do it all the time.  Like on airplanes.  As soon as the aircraft comes to a complete stop and the little bong sound chimes, I've got that seat belt off, standing up and grabbing my items from the overhead bin like I'm headed to a fire.  The only problem is--everyone else is doing the same thing.  And usually, I'm about 3/4 of the way back, so I have to wait for the whole plane to unload before I can even pick my stuff up.

Or when I'm shopping at Wal-Mart and I only have 15 items (or less)--and I see some elderly grandma with a hand full of coupons and a full grocery cart, meandering towards the same lane I had already picked out.  If I can get away with it, I accelerate rapidly and try to get in ahead of her.  If it is too close to call, and I might get called for being a rude pastor, I back off and start checking all of the other lines to see if there might be some hope of getting in a faster lane.

But I noticed that I'm not alone.  You do it too!  What's THAT all about?  As I sat in traffic today I pondered that question.

I think it comes when we begin to view the world through the eyes of "how will this affect ME?"  And if it affects me adversely, the "I don't like this one bit!"  My focus suddenly shifts from how others are affected to how I'm affected and my selfish nature takes over.  I  become the center of my universe and though I may have a tinge of empathy for the poor person who's car went up in flames, I was more than relieved when the tow truck got it hefted up on top and drove off, clearing the rest of us to accelerate back to normal (and in many cases, above normal) speeds.

I, however, didn't try to zig and zag out of traffic any longer, as I continued to ponder the question: Just what is it about ME that I think I deserve to have life always go my way all of the time?  Just why do I tend to get so upset when I get into the "hurry up" mindset and then am forced to wait?  But most importantly...How do I STOP the "hurry up and wait" mentality in the first place?  How can I come to the point of "going with the flow" instead of blowing my top?

The sign may say "expect delays" but instead of learning to accept that and adjusting my life to reality, I always seem to be shocked when I find myself facing delays.  I grow angry and outraged that my world is being affected.  That I am being forced to wait still again. 

Yet, on the other hand, I readily admit that I want to make a difference in life.  I want my life to have purpose and meaning. That I want my life to count for the cause of God.

Is it conceivable that my expectations are unrealistic?  Can I really have it both ways?  Can I be "king of the road" and serve another King at the same time? Could it be that the reason  I get so upset at the "hurry up and wait" game is because I believe, deep down, without question, that it really should be all about me after all?  Of course I would never say it out loud...or would I?  Perhaps my loudly yelling at the other "idiots on the road", or muttering and sighing loudly as grandma goes through all of her coupons is my subtle way of telling the world that I sincerely believe that I really should be the most important person in the room or on the road?

Wasn't it Jesus who really addressed the problem head on when his disciples asked the question about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom?  Do you remember what Jesus told them?

Matt 20:25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Among you it will be different!  Is it possible that the delays of life could actually aid me in developing meaning and purpose?  Could it be that God designed the delays because He is more interested in my holiness than He is my happiness?  Is my whining and complaining really only showing God where MY heart is rather than pointing out how stupid everyone else appears to me or how they bother me, or even annoy and disgust me?  I think so.  The angry, griping, or whiney words I say really are more a statement about me and where my heart is than it is about those who annoy me.  And scripture would bear this out.

Luke 6:45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

So how you and I handle the "hurry up and wait" game really reveals our hearts as well as our characters.  I don't know about you...but I want what flows from my heart to reveal a Savior, not a slime ball.  A character of distinction rather than corruption.  A heart full of love for God and others, not so focused on myself that my short-sightedness eclipses someone else's view of God.  Which brings to mind one other text...

Is. 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 

Teach me Lord, to wait!  And then let me soar!