“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.” (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)
Twice during the same week I visited a physician. As you know, the first things that take place at a visit is being weighed, having your temperature taken, and your assigned nurse gets a blood pressure reading. Knowing this process, I tried to manage my diet on the day of both visits to ensure that I would get a good reading on my blood pressure. I had no concerns about my weight or my temperature. Admittedly I had did have concerns about my blood pressure reading. Usually, after my suppressed anxiety and the impact of the anxiousness of finally being called back for my scheduled appointment, my first reading has a perfect lower number, but the top number is above what one considers normal blood pressure. It happened at my first appointment on Wednesday, and again at my second appointment on Thursday.
Since the equipment used to measure my blood pressure is turned so I can’t see it, I always ask, “What was my reading?” If it is too far from the normal range I make quick excuses for the reading, explaining to the nurse that early morning coffee, the stress of waiting for an hour, the attentiveness required to hear your name being called, and the fact that at times, my appointment was pushed back because individuals who were scheduled before me showed up late, but yet were served ahead of me. And if you know me, you know I was on time. As my relatives sat, “I’m structured,” Okay, I was early. When I get to the exam room, I ask the attending physician if she would take my blood pressure again before entering the results on my visit summary. In most cases, and in both cases this week at my appointments, the bottom number, the diastolic number measuring the pressure on one’s arteries between each heartbeat, was fine. However, the top number, the systolic number measuring the pressure in one’s arteries when your heart beats, that number went down by twenty and was more closer to normal and deemed acceptable. The wait was worth it. Better, better results, showed up!
Let me move away from the medical field and enter into the behavioral field, specifically as it applies to believers and stick to the title above, “Wait And Better Will Show Up.” I’m not trying to be prophetic, but let me tell you that something will happen on this very day where your initial reaction or your reflex response to some stimuli, be it someone else’s words, another’s behavior, or poor customer service while you are shopping, will create a risk of your Christian behavior being out of range, or out of the realm of we who are members of a holy nation and a royal priesthood. I cannot offer you advice like a person who has a doctorate in chemistry or make an analogy using all the medical terminology from what happens with blood pressure change, but I can give you a prescription to stay within the expected range of Christian, Christ-like behavior. It is the same thing I do at the doctor’s office. Wait! Wait for the Lord to take over and, with the Holy Spirit present in your, He will bring your behavior back within the range of expectations that the Lord has for us. Wait! Wait for the Jesus in you to take control of you! Wait! Wait, and you will see that better will show up. If you need Biblical proof, look at the verse below.
Waiting, this is not just Sunday morning advice, but it is everyday advice. Wait and better will show up! Have a great day, and of course, do not forget to show up at the assembly of the saints this morning. The Lord will have some more advice to help you “stay within the range” that will move Him to say, “Well, done!” Be there! Be blessed!
“Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master’s Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time. (James 5: 7-8 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King