One of the best things about visiting grandchildren is the reception one gets upon arrival. When they were little, as we neared their house after a four-hour drive, my daughter would often send us pictures of her two standing with faces pressed against the window, waiting. Now, they are usually in school when we arrive, so we have to wait until the pick-up line to see those faces light up as they open the car door.

Our other three grandchildren live overseas. Todd and I always pick up the pace as we head toward the baggage area after deplaning. We know that once we round a certain corner, we should look to the left to see those sweet faces on the other side of the glass wall! (Although I haven’t decided if they are more excited to see us, or to find out what’s in the suitcases!)

I think we should have the same attitude as we wait for the Lord—and not just for His return.

Many of us are in God’s waiting room.

I have two sweet sisters battling cancer right now. I imagine you have loved ones facing the same thing. Those battling a disease spend a lot of time waiting. Waiting for treatments. Waiting for surgery. Waiting for appointments and doctor callbacks. Waiting for test results.

But mostly, waiting to see what God is going to do about the illness that’s trying to kill them.

Will He heal?

Will He rescue?

Will He come to our aid?

Will He relieve the suffering?

Will He take away the pain?

And not only will He, but when will He?

The answer is yes, but for those sitting in “the waiting room,” we’re not sure which door will open.

Will it be the door of physical healing?

Or the door of complete and final healing?

Paul had something to say about how we should wait.

Like grandchildren waiting for their grandparents…we are to wait eagerly.

Like grandchildren waiting to “open the suitcases” to see what good things are in store!

Romans 8:18-25 – For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Philippians 3:20-21 – For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

We can wait eagerly—looking forward to whatever God has planned for us—because we know He is a good Father. For a follower of Jesus, there is no downside to waiting on God. If the answer is to heal us physically and allow our lives to continue on earth: good. If the answer is not to heal whatever our physical body is dealing with, but to cast off this temporary “earth suit” and give us our new, glorified, perfect body: good.

What will it be like when Jesus transforms the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory? When all the work of sanctification is complete, and our true identity in Christ is revealed?

We might be in God’s waiting room for many reasons. It isn’t reserved only for those facing sickness or disease. We wait for answers to prayer. We wait for open doors. We wait for God to save our loved ones. We wait for … well, just about everything!

My mom tells the story of visiting her eye doctor. After her eyes were dilated, she was sent back to the waiting room, expecting it would take a few minutes before she was called back to see the doctor. Minutes passed, then half an hour, then forty-five minutes. Finally, she called the nurse over and asked, “Did they forget about me?” The nurse exclaimed, “Oh my goodness; they are getting ready to go to lunch. I forgot to give them your chart!”

Thankfully, God doesn’t forget about us!

He knows where we wait.

He knows why we wait.

And He knows exactly when to open the door.

How do we wait eagerly, with anticipation of the good things to come, regardless of what those “things” might be?

Jude 1:20-21 – But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

We build up our faith.

We pray in the Holy Spirit.

We keep ourselves in the love of God.

We look forward to the mercy of Jesus that will result in eternal life.

If I know I’m going to be waiting for a while, I like to take along a good book.

I think that’s what we ought to be doing in God’s waiting room. Perusing THE good book, reminding ourselves of His promises, praying His word back to Him in confidence and assurance of its power and truth, and reminding ourselves of how much God loves us.

Are you in God’s waiting room?

Keep your eyes on the door (John 10:9).

The door will open.

And it will be good.