More Than Just Waiting / 不只是等候
Dexu Xia
More Than Just Waiting
[Jesus] gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.”Acts 1:4
Police charged a woman with reckless driving after she drove off the street and onto the sidewalk and back because she didn’t want to wait for a school bus dropping off students!
While it’s true that waiting can make us impatient, there are also good things to do and learn in the waiting. Jesus knew this when He told His disciples to “not leave Jerusalem” (Acts 1:4). They were waiting to “be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (v. 5).
As they gathered in an upper room, likely in a state of excitement and anticipation, the disciples seemed to understand that when Jesus told them to wait, He didn’t say for them to do nothing. They spent time praying (v. 14); and informed by Scripture, they also chose a new disciple to replace Judas (v. 26). When they were joined together in worship and prayer, the Holy Spirit descended upon them (2:1–4).
The disciples hadn’t simply been waiting—they’d also been preparing. As we wait on God, it doesn’t mean doing nothing or impatiently rushing forward. Instead we can pray, worship, and enjoy fellowship as we anticipate what He’ll do. The waiting prepares our hearts, minds, and bodies for what’s to come.
Yes, when God asks us to wait, we can be excited—knowing that we can trust Him and the plans He has for us! By Peter Chin
Reflect & Pray
Do you find yourself in a season of waiting? How can you see this as a season of preparation instead?
God, when I’m struggling, remind me that the seasons of waiting aren’t for nothing but help to reveal Your loving handiwork in my life.
不只是等候
耶稣]嘱咐他们说：“不要离开耶路撒冷，要等候父所应许的，就是你们听见我说过的。”-使徒行传1章4节
一名女司机被控鲁莽驾驶。她的车子行驶在一辆校车后面，当校车靠站让学生下车的时候，她因为不想等候，竟然将车子开上人行道以越过校车。
的确，等候会使我们觉得焦躁难耐，但在等待的过程中，还是有许多值得去做、去学习的事。耶稣深知这个道理，所以祂告诉门徒“不要离开耶路撒冷”（使徒行传1章4节），要等候“受圣灵的洗”（5节）。
耶稣升天后，当门徒聚在一间楼房里时，或许带着既兴奋又期待的心情，而且看来他们也明白耶稣所说的等候，并不是坐着干等。所以他们花时间祷告（14节），还选出新的门徒取代犹大（26节）。当他们同心敬拜祷告时，圣灵便降在他们身上（2章1-4节）。
门徒不只是等候，他们也预备自己。当我们等候上帝时，也不是无所事事，或不耐烦地轻率行动。在等候上帝动工时，我们可以祷告敬拜上帝，并且享受弟兄姐妹的团契。等待就是让我们的身心灵，为即将来临的一切做好准备。
当上帝要我们等候时，我们应当兴奋雀跃，因为知道我们能够信靠祂，并且相信祂为你我所定的计划！
上帝，当我失去耐心时，
求祢提醒我，等候不是浪费时间，
而是让我明白祢在我生命中慈爱的作为。
耐心等候，预备自己。