Author and pastor Mark Vroegop centers the thesis of his book, “Waiting Isn’t a Waste: The Surprising Comfort of Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life,” on an activity few people enjoy, but everyone does—waiting. The book is an encouraging reminder for some, and a prompt for others, that good can come from a period of waiting.
Jen Wilkin acknowledges in the foreword how countercultural it is to wait patiently and purposefully in 21st-century America. “We live in a culture of instant gratification, where streaming services deliver our entertainment in seconds, Amazon delivers our packages the same day, and Google answers our questions instantly.”
But after identifying with readers on the many reasons people must wait—for a job, a relationship, a baby, a wayward child—he provides the glass-half-full benefits of embracing waiting. Faith in God in the waiting is an overarching theme. In fact, he includes on the dedication page: “Those who wait upon God get fresh strength. (Isaiah 40:31).”
A short read at only 152 pages, “Waiting Isn’t a Waste” is easily digestible in six short chapters, including its introduction and conclusion. In sections broken up by subheads, readers can to linger on recognizable issues. For example, Vroegop acknowledges that “waiting usually involves some level of uncertainty, and that’s uncomfortable.” And, “it’s hard to wait when good desires go unfulfilled.” Also, “waiting is hard when we feel powerless.”
However, as its title implies—waiting isn’t a woe-is-me commentary. Weaving in hopeful Scripture references and mentioning Biblical figures, Vroegop communicates not only the normalcy of waiting, but the blessings gained during and after the wait.
In Chapter 2, he asks readers to consider a farming illustration. In the chapter’s opening he quotes James 5:7-8: “See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.” He points out how much a farmer must wait after tilling and planting, and how much is out of his control. But without the willingness to wait, no crop would be forthcoming.
Midway through the book, the author provides a strategy for practical waiting—based on biblical principles. He suggests that instead of becoming immediately anxious or angry when waiting is inevitable, to focus attention on God, prayer, positives, and anything that can be accomplished that does not require a wait time.
In essence, he shared: “Waiting requires living thoughtfully. While we acknowledge our uncertainty and the challenges of the moment, we can reorient our thinking.”
For individual reflection, each chapter of the book provides questions. “What is one action step you need to take in light of this chapter?” is a nudge at the end of Chapter 4. At the wrap-up of Chapter 6, there is an inquiry asking readers to consider how their perspective on waiting has changed and how they can help one another wait.
The book ends with its author using sunrises as an analogy. If a spectacular sunrise is not viewable from one’s home, a walk, hike, or drive in the dark is necessary to get to a place where it can be enjoyed. And then, to truly marvel at the spectacle, one must wait. Vroegop shares how he almost missed one of the most exceptional sunrises over the Grand Canyon simply because he did not want to wait.
He drives home his book’s thesis in these statements: “You can miss a beautiful sunrise because your expectations aren’t met. Life is full of unplanned gap moments, and it’s easy to waste them. “I’m more convinced than ever that God works for those who wait for him” (Isaiah 64:4).
