The Bus.

When I lived in Davis, I used to live one block away from the bus stop. Every morning, I would wake up at 6:30 to catch the 7:10am bus (the 7:25 and 7:35 were too crowded for my liking). As every student knows, it gets harder and harder to wake up on time as the quarter progresses. I would have just enough time to walk out with a piece of toast or an apple for breakfast the first 2 weeks. After week 2, I'd find myself doing the 100-m dash to catch the bus.

I no longer live in flat Davis. Now I walk up and down the San Francisco hills. I can tell when the weather will be good because I'll see the sun paint oranges and pinks in the sky. Walking downhill, I can see the serene blue of the oceans.

This morning, I decided to forgo waiting for the bus and admire the scene by walking to the next bus stop. Sooner than expected, I heard the ominous chortle of the bus engine behind me. Run, run, run. I ran down the hill as the bus roared past me. Run, run, run. Backpack bouncing. Hair flying. The bus dropped a man off and then started to go. I guess someone stopped him or the bus driver saw my plight (or crazy hair) and stopped again to wait for me. Breathless, I thanked the driver and caught my bus.

I couldn't help smiling. It's been a while since I've chased a bus and I love it. Pulse racing, heart beating loud as a drum, sweat. Well, not the sweat, but there's nothing like doing the 100-m dash to make you feel alive.

Waiting on God is like waiting for the bus. I stand there, I look for God, I wait for God, I hope in God. Sometimes, I'll get impatient and walk off thinking that I know better. I am anxious to see what God will do with and in my life. I am a little scared and sometimes I walk off on my own to admire other things. But God promises that “those who wait on him will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40). He encourages me to be strong, to wait on Him, to be courageous (Psalm 27:14). And while I’m waiting, He asks that I continue to be faithful in other things. Be faithful in doing my schoolwork, in accomplishing and learning things that I’ll use later for a career to honor him. Be faithful in praying for my family and loving them, even when I don’t feel loved. Be faithful in finding a community of believers to encourage and be encouraged by. Be faithful in exercising and having self-control. Be faithful in training in godliness.

So I wait and hope I won’t miss the bus, but I have a feeling that God will make sure I’ll catch it. Crazy flying hair and all. Either way, I want to feel alive.

Lead me in Thy truth and teach me.
For Thou art the God of my salvation;
For Thee I wait all the day.
[Psalm 25:5]