In  HOPE

  In HOPE 7.23 

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David Timms  

A Resource

Kim and I watched a movie the other night -- The Peaceful Warrior. Based on a true story -- and not explicitly Christian -- the film has left me thinking deeply about this present moment.

It challenges the idols and icons of our age -- even the glorified obsession with Olympic gold -- and defies several deeply entrenched cultural values.

I rarely commend films, but this is one I wanted to watch again as soon as it finished, not for the entertainment but because it taps into a deep aquifer that most of us have lost touch with. 

 

Hope International University
Fullerton  CA  92831

 

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope." (Ps 130.5)


Waiting

None of us like to wait. Traffic on the freeway, lines at the grocery store, and music on the phone make us impatient. Doctors never run to time, people never send reply emails or text-messages quickly enough, and we'd like much faster drive-through service.

We have so much to do and too little time to do it. So ... waiting irritates us. Amidst our obsession with productivity and making every minute count, waiting feels like a waste. It steals our most precious commodity -- time -- and messes with our plans.

For unknown reasons, we've accepted the cultural heresy that a life well-lived is full and the more filled we can make it the more fulfilled we will be.

The Psalmist confronts such deadly thinking. "I wait for the Lord; my soul waits ...." Pause and consider his words.

If we rush through our days, how can we wait for the Lord?

We have bought the lie that busyness implies significance, action means motivation, achievement of multiple tasks demonstrates competence, and a full schedule suggests an important life. So ... we dare not wait.

Waiting means falling behind others in this mad dash of a life. And in our hurry, we fail to experience the moment.

The joy is in the journey. Yet, we assume that our greatest delight lies in the destination. Ironically, we dare not tarry too long at any particular destination lest we fail to get to the next one. So we live discontent and always anticipating; only occasionally aware of the gift of the moment. In the process we miss the richness of a smile, the wonder of a touch, the rejuvenation of a breeze, the beauty of a leaf, and the Presence of God.

Our impatience to live life to the full handicaps our ability to wait for the Lord or simply "abide" in Him. If we wait at all, perhaps we wait just long enough for a specific word or solution or blessing ... something that will propel us over the next mountain we need to conquer. Can we simply wait for Him?

The Psalmist's short statement rocks the foundations of our lives. If everything stopped right now, if God outlawed ambition (which lives fully in the future) and pride (which emerges mostly from the past) what would we have left? If we could not collect manna for tomorrow and He asked us to let go of the failures and successes of yesterday, could we live fully with Him in this present moment -- and remain there? The Psalmist did, and invites us to join him.

Perhaps today, right now, we can practice the wonder of waiting -- being fully attentive to Him and this moment. It's life-changing.

In Hope -

David

 

Hope Happenings for Executive Pastors

We could use your help. Hope International University is developing a Master of Science in Executive Ministry. We have created a short survey to help guide our curriculum decisions. Could you take 5-10 minutes and complete it online for us? It would be a tremendous help. Just go to:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=KSVhk0nI4ZrSBXrHuAcnzA_3d_3d.

 

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You can find back issues of "In HOPE" (2005-2007) at http://www.hiu.edu/inhope/.

David Timms serves in the Graduate Ministry Department at Hope International University in Fullerton, California. "In HOPE", however, is not an official publication of the University and the views expressed are not necessarily those of the Administrators or Board. "In HOPE" has been a regular e-publication since January, 2001.