What is the most difficult word in our English language? No,
I don’t think it is the title of this blog entry – but I’ll explain that a
little later. The most difficult word, in my humble opinion, is the word wait.
This tiny four-letter word seems to be our most challenging nemesis from the
earliest onset of childhood. As a baby you waited for feedings and diaper
changes. As a child you waited for cookies to finish baking, parents to answer
questions, school to start, school to end, and you waited until you were “old
enough” to do whatever it was you thought so important at the time. Now that we
are adults, we still wait. We wait in lines, wait for friends, and many of us
find ourselves waiting in doctors’ offices. Waiting is not always pleasant.
So what do you do when you are waiting? I suppose the answer
to that question depends largely on the need, purpose, and duration of the
waiting. Waiting briefly at a traffic light may not require any action. Waiting
for an appointment might provide time for reflection, reading, working on
crossword puzzles, or similar brief activities. You see, one form of waiting
might be to remain inactive or in repose until the expected event happens. This
is okay for short-term waiting.
However, waiting long-term is quite a bit different. Waiting
for special days or special visits can be particularly difficult. Long-term
waiting requires the kind of waiting for one to be available or in readiness;
to look forward to an event with eager anticipation. Long-term waiting requires
an individual to remain in an active state – in our day we might use the
expression, “keep on keeping on.” Doing what? Ah, that brings us back to the
title.
Floccinaucinihilipilification, n.,
the estimation of something as valueless
In Latin, the words [flocci + nauci + nihili + pili] all
indicate something that is of little or no value; trifling. The suffix
[-fication] refers to expressing the state or condition of something. In simple
terms, we have this enormous word that literally means ‘nothing’.
In terms of waiting, floccinaucinihilipilification is a big waste of time;
doing absolutely nothing of lasting value.
I have an idea of what you might be thinking. So how
in the world can this, in any way, remotely apply to me? The answer might
take a surprising twist for the Christian. Look at it this way: What is the
next special event for the Christian that will require waiting, possibly even
long-term waiting? Yes, the answer is the second advent of our Blessed Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ!
Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Titus 2:13 (NIV)
…while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our
great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…
The truth is that none of us knows how much waiting this
will require. We do know that the Bible tells us some folks will get tired of
waiting and give up on waiting altogether.
2 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT) Most
importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come,
mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What
happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of
our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first
created.”
So what do we do while we are waiting for Jesus Christ to
come again? I would encourage you to fill your life with those things that have
value and purpose. Even daily chores have value and purpose. Encouraging one
another has value and purpose. Working has value and purpose. Some of my
favorite passages with suggestions for what to do when waiting include:
Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
But this one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind [don’t waste time on
the past] and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win
the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 5:15-16, 19-20 (NIV)
Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as
wise, making the most of every opportunity…speak to one another with psalms,
hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:2 and 4:5 (NLT) Preach
the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently
correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. (and) But you
should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for
the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the
ministry God has given you.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NLT)
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own
business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then
people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not
need to depend on others.
2 Peter 3:14-15 (NLT)
And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen,
make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless
in his sight. And remember, the Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.
Wow! That’s a lot to do, and if we truly believe that the
return of Jesus Christ is imminent (i.e., likely to occur at any moment),
then we have so little time left in which to work! Dear Readers, if we are to
fill our ‘waiting time’ with activities of value and purpose, then we have no
time to waste on floccinaucinihilipilification.
Respectfully written and submitted
by:
Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian – looking forward to
the Blessed Hope of Christ’s return!
The devotional Floccinaucinihilipilification appeared
first on Write From My Heart on August 1, 2016, at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com As the original author, I reserve the right
to update, modify as needed, and repost.
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All
rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations
marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©
1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale
House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
