What a Disney Ride Reminded Me about Waiting

The past month, I got a chance to go on a mini vacation trip to Orlando with my family for the fourth of July weekend. I felt so blessed to be with my family and to rest from ministry and summer classes. That weekend, we went to Disney. Me being a kid at heart, I was elated (unashamed to say I was more excited than my one year old baby cousin).

As we were getting near the end of our Disney family day, when after the fast pass kiosks were finally up and running again, I go to find the nearest kiosk only to find a long line. With my family no where in sight, I stormed out of my spot in the line, going back to see the line double its size. Few of us decided to go on the nearest ride, Peter Pan's Flight. Already angry and impatient as I was, Some of my family and I walk up to the end of the line and see the waiting time sign read "1 Hour and 15 minutes". I got even more angry.

I thought, it's not really one hour and fifteen minutes. it's just a prediction. The line will go smoothly as the previous one did. Boy was I wrong. An hour and fifteen minute line for a ride felt like two hours. I kept telling myself "this ride better be worth it for all the time I'm standing in line for".

For some of you that are familiar with Peter Pan's Flight, to get on you have to go through the inside of the house first that tells you the story of Peter pan and the children's journey of Neverland. In there are props from the movie to entertain those waiting.

When she said those words, I managed to hush up for the remainder of waiting in the line (in other words, I was humbled y'all). As we stepped outside, I was surprised to find that we were able to get on the ride in less than 10 minutes.I expressed my anger, I hear my aunt behind me say these words, "We're close to the ride, you don't want to leave now".

Waiting is like being in a line. Whether you're in line to order food, to make a purchase at a shopping mall, or to wait your turn at the bank, etc. It can be hard to wait in general. But it's necessary. There are times when you will want to skip the line to get ahead, but in reality, skipping the line will only ruin your chances of getting God's best in His perfect time.

I don't know what it is you're waiting on; maybe it's finishing school and you're close to graduating and getting your degree. Maybe you're waiting on a new job opportunity or starting your career but you're tired of seeing everybody get moved up and you're feeling that all your hard work is being unnoticed. Or maybe you're waiting for your God given spouse and you're tired of waiting and seeing everyone get ahead of you. Let me tell you the same thing my Aunt told me that day, don't give up.

Galatians 6:9 says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up". Being in that line made me realize how impatient I can be and worse, how my impatience can affect my attitude. Don't let the wait cause you to be frustrated. Instead, let the wait produce faith (James 1:2), joy that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:8), courage and quiet strength. Because what'll really matter isn't the very thing you've waited for when you receive it, but it's the character you've developed to sustain it.

Joyce Myers said this quote, "Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to have a good attitude about waiting". The wait reveals our level of patience. And more than anything, besides our relationship with God, it also shapes our level of patience.

What'll really matter isn't the very thing you've waited for when you receive it, but it's the character you've developed to sustain it.

After getting off the ride, I glanced back at the line and thought "never again will I wait in a line for as long as I did for a park ride. Then I thought again, "What if I had given up?" "What if I gave up at the moment our turn was next?"

And my question for you is this: whatever you're waiting on, you could be so close to receiving the very thing you've been waiting on, what if you gave up now? What if you decided to quit? What if you decided to give up now when you could be next?

---

His word says they that wait on the Lord shall regain new strength (Isaiah 40:31). Don't let time make you lose faith on what God promised you. Don't lose hope when things don't seem to go your way. Don't throw in the towel when the wait seems to be longer than you thought it would be. Remember, you are a daughter of the King and He is your heavenly Father. He is able to provide all your needs.

No matter how long the wait seems, don't give up. Stand your position in the line. Don't move or you will miss your right time to move. Even if you can't see ahead of the line, know that He is at work and when it's time, it'll be your turn. In the words of my aunt, you don't want to leave now; you could be closer than you think.

Heavenly Father,

I thank You for what you're doing now in the wait and what will be revealed soon after. I pray that we can consider the wait pure joy because of what it's developing within us. Although we don't see it now, we are thankful for what You're protecting us from and that we don't simply have to know or try to figure it out; we just simply have to trust in You. As we wait, may we rest in peace knowing that You know our hearts desires and are faithful in everything You do and in who You are. May our eyes and hearts be solely fixed on You and Your promises as we wait. Help us to not get impatient but to be still and keep our position in line as You work. Help us to not move on impulse, but to move in Your timing. We press on and ask for wisdom on what to do as we wait on You Lord. May we keep a praise on our lips and have gratitude filled hearts as You lead us. In your name we pray, Amen.