Spiritual Exercises while Waiting
I wondered to myself if I could use the time to do a simple spiritual exercise while I waited.
The other day, I was at the doctor's for an appointment. Nothing serious. Just a routine checkup for some new circumstances in life. Everyone who has ever stepped foot into a doctor's clinic knows that there's one thing that is sure to happen every single time: you are going to wait. I don't think I've ever been seen by a doctor at the appointment time that was set. Waiting is a staple of doctor's offices.
Nowadays, most people scroll through their phones as they wait. Gone are the days of reading magazines and assorted pamphlets. As I was waiting for my appointment, I considered the different things I could do to pass the time. In particular, I wondered to myself if I could use the time to do a simple spiritual exercise while I waited. Not too long after, I found myself recalling and reflecting on memorized Scripture in my head. The psalmist declares that a blessed person's "delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night" (Ps. 1:2 ESV). I realized that waiting at the doctor's clinic was a good opportunity to delight in God's law (which can also be translated as instruction) and meditate on Scripture. I must have recalled and meditated on 5 or 6 verses before I was called in for my appointment. The short spiritual exercise not only helped pass the time, but it helped me enter the appointment with a godly and peaceful posture.
There can be plenty of opportunities every day to engage in spiritual exercises, even if it's for a brief period of time. Consider what spiritual exercises you can do the next time you find yourself waiting—whether that's waiting at the doctor's, on a bus, in line at a store, or at a coffee shop. Some ideas include:
Read Scripture – Chances are you have a Bible app on your phone anyway. Might as well read the Bible while you wait. There shouldn't be any reason not to read even just a single passage of Scripture every day. The Bible is so accessible to us on our mobile phones.
Recall and reflect on Scripture – If you've been memorizing Bible verses, you can test your memory while you wait. It's a great way to let Scripture solidify in your mind and sink into your heart.
Pray for somebody – You probably know somebody you can pray for. Think about that person and say a short prayer for them while you wait.
Encourage somebody – Maybe an idea, insight, or Scripture verse might come to mind for somebody else. Perhaps you can text that person with that insight or verse to encourage them.
Worship through music – If you brought your earphones with you, you might be able to listen to worship music and think about God's glory and presence while you wait.
You can probably think of more spiritual activities that might work for you while you're waiting. Engaging in spiritual exercises while you wait is a good way to practice what Paul meant when he wrote these words: "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17 ESV).
Barnabas the Monastic
Servant of Christ. Husband. Dad. Modern Monastic. I have a wild ambition in life: get as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as I can while on earth. I explore and integrate ancient Christian monk wisdom in modern everyday life. Lives in Canada.
