GodSPEED?

So, I was thinking about the word "Godspeed".  People sometimes say this to others who are embarking on a journey or a large task.  I really wonder though where the "speed" part comes from!  (I did look it up and the verb "speed" here has nothing to do with 'quickness', but is used in the archaic sense of the word - "succeed, attain one's goal, desire")  God has not proven himself "speedy" in much of anything in our lives!  Maybe because I'm quick enough for the both of us! ;-)

If there's one thing I've learned in the past 3.5 years, it's that God does not move fast.  There are times when things seem to speed up a bit, but most of the time he moves like a turtle.  Or maybe even a snail.  I, on the other hand, am a rabbit or maybe a gazelle.  I like to go fast.  I like fast roller coasters, I like to drive fast, I liked to go fast down the alpine slide in Taylor's Falls last weekend. I like to think fast and talk fast.  Fast is good, slow is... well.... s l o w.

There's a lot of waiting in the Bible.... almost everyone I can think of had to wait on God. Abraham (for a son), Joseph (to be reunited with his family), Israelites (many times, but 400 years as slaves in Egypt probably takes the cake, closely followed by 40 years in the desert), Jonah (in a fish for 3 days), David (never did get to build the temple), even though it was a parable the father waited for his prodigal son to return, the Good Samaritan helped a man waiting in the road for help... and thankfully Jesus waits to return until as many people as possible yield their life to Him. I guess if nothing else, I'm in good company!

I think one of the hardest things God has asked me to do in this whole process is wait. Of course, waiting doesn't mean not doing anything, but waiting often entails not doing what **I** want to be doing. It means keeping my ears and eyes open for what God wants me to be doing today. It means slowing down to at least a turtle speed (I think moving at a snail's pace would actually kill me!)... letting the rabbit go ahead without me. It means not missing what God is teaching me today because I'm too focused on the future.

but 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 ESV

I like the ESV version of this verse.  NIV says, "but those who hope in the Lord..."  I rather like the word "wait".  When I wait for the Lord (instead of plowing ahead doing my own thing),  people are able to see Jesus instead of me.  That's a really good thing!  ;-)