My iPod Is Speaking: Lesson From a Download Gone Bad

I was recently trying to download an updated version of an App I use on my iPod Touch. Usually, there's nothing out of the ordinary about the process but this download was different. Instead of taking the typical seconds to download; nothing happened. At all. My App just said, "Waiting."

I figured it couldn't make the wireless connection with iTunes and would surely download before the day was over with. I was wrong. There it was, the next morning, still stuck on the message "Waiting." And then it occurred to me: the Christian life is a lot like this.


Apps and digital music are easily and quickly downloaded; mere seconds to only a few minutes at most. And this surely feeds into the theme (or should I say the mire) of our culture today. Can anybody say instant access?!

But a true life surrendered to Christ isn't like that. We might want an "instant download" from God but oftentimes; we must simply wait on Him. This usually isn't fun for us because we want what we want when we want it. Did you catch that?

I eventually had to remove the App from my iTunes library and re-download it altogether. No problems since. Makes me wish life were this simple to deal with. But our lives are much more precious and complex than downloading digitally compressed data.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." So that means there is a time for waiting; for silence.

And even more specific, Isaiah 40:31 says, "But those who wait on the LORD will renew their strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint." This passage implies there is a benefit attached to waiting. Hmmm.

If you're pursuing the Lord about something and seem to get no response except "Waiting," then do that; just wait on Him. He'll speak or move at the right moment. He makes no mistakes. It will come in His perfect timing. And with God, it's always worth the wait. "He has made everything beautiful in its time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Who knew an App download could hold such a valuable lesson?

Copyright © 2011 Michelle Holderman

3 comments

  1. A lesson that I really needed to hear today. Thanks, Michelle. I know His timing is perfect. Guess I need more patience.

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  2. Melinda, I'm honored the Lord spoke to you through this! God is so good; even in our struggles! Love and hugs to you!!

    Steve, thank you for coming by and thanks for the invite. I accept :)

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  3. I finally broke down and bought an IPod NANO...downloaded 25 sermons on it and listen to it while taking my daily walk.

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