Issue #193, November 2, 2016
Most leaders prefer action and hate times of waiting. Yet there are times for each of us that waiting is the only option. We may not have a clear sense of direction to move forward or other circumstances compel us to stay where we are for a season. A friend of mine compared these experiences to time we spend in the waiting room for the doctor to see us. We can grow impatient and frustrated or learn to use that time well. Paul experienced “God’s waiting room” as he waited two years for his trial in Rome. For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 28:30-31).
It was not Paul’s choice to wait but he was a prisoner facing trial. This was not his first time to wait; he had already spent two years in prison before he was transferred to Rome. Paul didn’t choose to wait, but he chose how he would wait. His time in “God’s waiting room” can teach all servant leaders what to do when we are in a season of waiting.
While waiting, build relationships.
Paul “welcomed all who came to see him.” He could not go and visit others but he could welcome those who came to see him. He developed relationships with new people in Rome during this time of waiting. It would be easy to justify not developing relationships in a place where he was not certain he would be for long. But Paul still had the heart of a servant leader. He was not focused on his own waiting; instead, he welcomed others into his house. He recognized that in times of waiting he would meet people that he would not otherwise meet. Servant leaders don’t stop building relationships while waiting. Instead, they use their ‘waiting room’ to build new relationships and strengthen old ones.
While waiting, use your gifts.
Paul “preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Preaching and teaching are what Paul was called and gifted to do. He no longer taught in the public arena or in front of huge crowds. He could have easily said that his gifts were no longer useful. But he continued using his gifts with the two or three people at a time that came to see him. Any time we use our gifts we grow and develop. Paul learned how to better communicate the gospel. Servant leaders don’t stop using their gifts when they are in the waiting room, they seize the opportunity to sharpen them.
While waiting, redeem the time.
History tells us that Paul used these two years in prison to write at least four New Testament books: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. He could not accomplish his dream of planting churches, but he could write to those he had already planted! Paul did not turn his face towards the wall and wait for freedom. Rather he redeemed the time. I expect that he also spent much time in prayer, reading and reflecting. He used his time to bless others. Servant leaders redeem the time while waiting. They do what they can to develop their own gifts for future ministry. While waiting they may read, study, learn a new skill or sharpen an old one. Instead of dreaming of what they will do in a future time, they redeem the time.
Waiting times do not need to be wasted times. Like Paul, servant leaders can respond to waiting by building relationships, using their gifts and redeeming the time. Afterward, we may see these as some of the most fruitful times of our lives. Wait well!
For further reflection and discussion:
If I am currently in a period of waiting:
- What opportunities to build new relationships is God providing at this time?
- What relationships can I strengthen at this time?
- In what ways can I continue to exercise my gifts during this time of waiting? How might this experience strengthen my gifts?
- How can I redeem this time to grow and develop as a person?
If I am not currently in a period of waiting:
- What did I learn from a previous experience of waiting?
- What will I do differently, as a result, the next time I am waiting?