Ever feel like your life is full of rushing to wait? We rush to work then wait to go home. We rush home then wait to go back to work. We rush to church then wait to leave as quickly as possible after the closing prayer. We rush through our errands, our chores, and whatever else is in our way. Then we wait in lines, wait in traffic, and wait on hold. 

As teens and young adults, we rushed to prepare ourselves for a fulfilling, meaningful, and successful life. Now, we sit waiting, unsure of what those phrases even mean anymore. We were told that these things were important and that hustle would get us there quickly. But in everyone else’s rush, they forgot to tell us what words such as “success” and “meaningful” actually represent. So we wait, trying to figure out it. Is it a good job – do I have a good enough job to consider myself successful? Is it extra money in the bank – how much money is “meaningful?” With no easy or obvious answer to such questions, we continue to rush around, waiting and hoping for something different to help shake us out of our rushed stupor. 

But, Wait. There’s More

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” -Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

“And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” -Romans 5:5 (NLT)

Our society is designed to keep us rushing around in malcontent, waiting for something more. A better job, a newer car, a bigger house, our own private island, the chance to rule to world. Enough is never enough because there is always more. But Paul tells us that he “knows how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” – Philippians 4:12 (NLT). And Soloman tells us to “Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind.” – Ecclesiastes 6:9 (NLT). 

So what is this “future” and “hope” that God is talking about? Can it help us stop rushing around, waiting for more? 

Stop Rushing, Don’t Wait

There is nothing wrong with achieving worldly success, or finding meaning in your work, or being fulfilled by a hobby. But without deeper roots, all these things soon lose their value and we find ourselves waiting once again. We rush to achieve the things we think are important; yet quickly find ourselves waiting for the disappointment to fade once we realize that our rush to the top only left us exhausted with another ladder to climb. 

Soloman tells us that we should stop rushing around trying to find meaning in worldly things (paraphrasing all of Ecclesiastes). Jeremiah tells us that God has a future and a hope for us (Jeremiah 29:11). Paul tells that hope is found in love (Romans 5:5). Jesus tells us that love is the greatest commandment of God’s law (Mark 12: 29-31). The Bible does not mince words about what life is about. Yet, we all rush around waiting to figure out the meaning of life. 

Let’s stop rushing around, missing the point while waiting for our moment to come. Our moment is now! But, if we are not careful, we will rush right past it. As Christ-followers, our success comes from believing in Christ as our Savior, for He is the only one that can give us the true reward of forgiveness and eternity with Him in Heaven. Our fulfillment comes from acting in love towards everyone we meet. Our meaning comes from sharing the truth about God’s grace with others so that they may also find their future and their hope in Christ. 

God’s Version of Success

It is only through God’s version of success that we will be fulfilled. Through that fulfillment, He will give us many unique opportunities to experience meaning in what we do. But if we rush too quickly or wait too long, our time here on earth will pass. 

Now is the time for each of us to act, set strongly in the truth, and eager to go wherever God is leading us. I pray that each of us can steadily move forward in confidence of our future and with a hope that cannot cause any other action than to go, share, and fight for the truth of God’s great mercy, love and grace. 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)