Not a Duck
Day 1
I want to tell you a story.
It starts with a mother duck who is sitting on a nest. She’s not so patiently waiting for her eggs to hatch. One egg looks different and is bigger than all the others. Sound familiar? It probably should. This is the beginning of the beloved classic “The Ugly Duckling.” But I’m not actually talking about the happy little condensed version of the story you most likely heard as a kid or have even read to your own kids. I want to tell you the original story as written by Hans Christian Andersen. In the original, our poor unfortunate not-really-a-duckling does not get teased and pushed away and left alone only to find a nice swan family to accept him a few minutes later. He has a much harder time than that. I’m going to paraphrase it of course, but the heart of the story will be there. I realize this is an absurd way to start a devotional, but just bear with me… I promise I’m going somewhere with this.
Imagine our mama duck, sitting on her nest and really wishing these eggs would just hatch already. When they have FINALLY all hatched except the biggest one, another duck comes along and tries to convince mama duck to just give up on it already. Mama duck begrudgingly says she has waited this long and might as well see it through.
Let’s pause here for a moment.
I would first like to point out the duck who tried to convince little mama to abandon her egg. That wasn’t nice. I mean, come on. Nobody likes a naysayer. But I digress. The point I’d like to make is that waiting is HARD. Maybe you’re waiting for things to get better. Maybe you’re waiting for something exciting that feels out of reach. Maybe you don’t even know what you’re waiting for, but you just feel it in your soul that you’re on the cusp of something. Maybe all that waiting is making you feel anxious, irritated, uncertain, you get the picture. And in the midst of all that, someone who probably thinks they’re doing it for your benefit tells you to just give up already. Ouch.
Are you waiting for something today, friend? Are you weary of it? Do you feel like giving up? Can I tell you something?
Don’t.
Honestly, this was supposed to be just a little snippet and then I was going to move on. But as I started really getting into the Word on the subject of waiting, I realized I needed to hit the brakes and sit here for a minute. I’m going to be brutally honest right now. I hate waiting. We live in this world of instant gratification, and waiting for something you don’t want to wait for is downright painful. Personally, I don’t even like waiting for something I’m not excited about because I’d rather just get it over with. (Please tell me I’m not the only one.) Do you know how God feels about us waiting? He. Likes. It. He wants us to wait. Patiently. Happily. Okay, I didn’t actually read specifically that He wants us to be happy about it, but Romans 12:12 says to rejoice in hope and be patient in tribulation, which is pretty close. But seriously, let’s get into the nitty gritty of it.
“So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” (Hosea 12:6) “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:25-26) “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage: wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14) “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:7-8) “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” (Psalm 37:7). Consider me chastised, Lord.
Friend, if you are in a season of waiting, take courage. Isaiah 64:4 says that God acts for those who wait for Him. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” Please read that again and let it wash over you. We think He is being slow, but He isn’t. He is being intentionally patient for your sake. God has not abandoned you or forsaken you. His timing is not our timing. The God who created the universe and you, who knows all the pieces of the puzzle that you can’t see, knows when to put things into motion better than you ever could… is practicing patience so that we have enough time to get ready for Him. He wants us to wait on Him. So be blessed in the waiting, friend. Use it as a time to lean into Him, to build up your faith, to grow in the Lord, to prepare yourself to receive His blessing. It’s going to be beautiful.
Reflection:
I’m going to say a short prayer. You can pray along if you’d like.
God, forgive me. I’ve been hasty and impatient. I’ve planted my feet in all the wrong ways and refused to bend to your timing or to wait on you and the things you have for me. God, I pray that you would imbue me with a patience that only you can give, that you would provide me with steadfastness and the desire to wait. Thank you for opening my eyes to see that this season of waiting is for my benefit and given out of your love for me. Please help me to use this time wisely. For anyone praying along with me, I pray that in this very moment you would wash over them with a sense of peace. Let them feel the patience settling into their bones even as the pressure of unwanted waiting is released. Let us rejoice in you today. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Scriptures:
Romans 12:12
Hosea 12:6
Lamentations 3:25-26
Isaiah 40:31
Psalm 27:14
James 5:7-8
Psalm 37:7
Isaiah 64:4
2 Peter 3:9
Song Suggestions:
“There Was Jesus” by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton
“Waymaker” by Michael W. Smith or Leeland
“Hurry Up and Wait” by MercyMe