Remember the days of waiting a whole week to watch the next episode of your favorite show? Or wanting to hear that song again but being at the mercy of the radio station to play it? Those days are over. No more waiting! Now we can binge-watch entire seasons of shows whenever we want, or listen to any song whenever we feel the urge. Anything we want is just a touch away!

Sometimes I think we expect God to work in the same way. God, I need help, now! God, I need an answer to this decision, so can you just show me exactly what to do – and by tomorrow, please! God, I’m feeling miserable and I want some comfort, and I need it this minute! God, where are you? Why can’t I feel you right now?

This was the case with me when I was in the midst of deep grief. I would beg God for comfort. The pain was so great, I wanted relief – immediately. I wanted a sign that God was there and that everything was going to be okay. And I wanted it right then.

But God does not work on demand. God doesn’t just pop out answers or peace whenever we request it, like a vending machine. Sometimes I had to wait for God to act, patiently trusting in Him. I have found that God works in unpredictable ways, and that He often reveals Himself to me when I least expect it. But it is always a result of me staying close to Him, being fervent in prayer, being committed to spending time in His Word, and then watching and waiting for Him to work.

And when He does, it is heart-stopping.

When we keep close to God, we get to witness amazing things. A perfect example of this is the believers in the early church. I am struck by how much time the apostles dedicated to seeking God, faithfully worshiping and praying and listening and waiting. In almost every single chapter in Acts, there is a reference to prayer. Answers to prayer did not happen for them overnight, and never in the way they expected.

After Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles were “with one accord devoting themselves to prayer.” (Acts 1:14) After ten long days of waiting and praying, the Holy Spirit came by flames of fire resting on their heads and different languages coming out of their mouths. I guarantee they never saw that coming! 

After that, the believers, “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).  Through this time, Peter and John raised a lot of commotion. Everywhere they went they were healing people and performing signs and wonders. And the church grew and flourished.

When tension among the believers arose, the apostles said, “We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word” (Acts 6:4). God then led them to elect deacons to help with the serving of food, and peace was reestablished.

 Acts 11:2  says, “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them…” And Paul and Barnabas were called to be set apart to journey through the land and spread the gospel message. When the people worshiped, God spoke.

These are just a handful of examples of the early believers’ devotion. “Devote” means “to give all or a large part of one’s time or resources to a person, activity, or cause.” Through their faithfulness, God spoke to them, worked through them, and performed miracles in their midst. It’s clear that our ability to hear from and experience God is in direct correlation to how much time we spend with Him.

As I was finishing up this post, I was thinking about the unexpected ways God has shown His grace to me since Lexi passed away, as I have patiently waited on Him. And then, totally out of the blue, my daughter and son-in-law showed up in town with some news: they’re expecting! I was completely caught off-guard by their announcement and overjoyed with the prospect of becoming a grandma. But the most special part of their news is the date that this baby is due to arrive: January 4. Lexi’s heaven day. 

Next January will be seven years since Lexi passed from this earth. In the Bible, the number seven represents perfection, completion, and rest. How fitting that as we remember and celebrate Lexi, we will have a new life to celebrate, that joy and pain will coexist, and that through the hurt of loss, we will also experience the thrill of the gift of life. It will be a wondrous time. Another sign that through waiting on God, He will indeed shower us with unexpected blessings.