QUEUE JUMPER

The first sign of summer makes me very happy.  Despite being ginger-haired, pale and covered in freckles, I love the summertime, and mainly for one reason.  Not the holidays, or the ice creams, or the chance to pose in sunglasses – summer provides the perfect opportunity to persuade someone to go to Alton Towers with me. 

 “It’ll be so much fun!  It’ll be hot and the rides will be great and we can have a picnic and if you ignore the overpriced food and crowds of screaming 8 yr olds and being attacked by a grown man dressed as a badger we’ll have a brilliant day!� 

  I am blind to most of the drawbacks and would gladly spend every day of the summer being swung upside down at 80mph.  However the one thing I cannot stand is waiting.    Spending an hour standing and moaning at queue jumpers is only made bearable by the promise of three minutes of exhilaration.  At the time I wonder why I am putting myself through this agony when the end, the purpose of my mindless waiting, is only a distant hope.  With the old favourites you know that your wait will be rewarded; however for the new ride, you are never quite sure if that pain is going to be worthwhile.

Impatience is a nasty trait in my character.  I feel like I’m always waiting for something - a job, more money, a family -  but then everyone is waiting for something - for kids to grow up, for work to change, for life to get easier, to see God acting on His promises.  I’m often tempted (and often succumb) to skipping the queue and taking an alternative route.  

 Inevitably this is far less satisfying than anything God had planned, but my selfish nature couldn’t be bothered to trust God through the wait. It’s especially difficult when times are hard, and that end isn’t in sight.  When we feel God isn’t listening, that He has no plan but is just letting us burn in the heat - that attractive shortcut looks like its going to make everything better.

However it’s often the long, frustrating journey where we learn the most.  Philippians 1:6 promises us that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus – our wait is not eternal.  Waiting is a discipline - sometimes silent, sometimes lonely, always active.

I love this song by Lou Fellingham, which encourages me that we serve a God who keeps his promises, and His promises will fulfil us more than any shortcut we can take.  

I am hard pressed on every side but I’m not crushed I feel pulled to pieces but inside I know I’m not

Feels like the world’s caving in, I find it hard to breathe

The water is rising - won’t you come and rescue me?  I’m on my knees O God please come to me I fall into your loving armsYou wrap me up and I’m secure

Patiently you whisper to me you have a plan

To hold on it won’t be long and you understand

You know my every need, you won’t abandon me.   Sick inside again today, I’m struggling to prayAnd my head is spinning because I cannot see the way

I’m in need of direction everything seems so unclear

Oh my God are you out there or is this falling on deaf ears? 

Miracles you will do, as I come and put my hope in you.  BBC Inspire May 2007