What are you waiting for?

I am excited about a great gift I recently received. It’s one of those iconic gadgets that’s probably overrated but I wanted one anyway. One of the many things that it does is to function as an electronic book reader. (Of course, you have to download the app first.) I love to read but rarely have time. When I do find myself with 10 or 15 minutes of down time, I usually don’t have a book with me. So now with my new gadget, I can electronically carry hundreds of books with me. 

I wasn’t sure which application to choose as my “reader” so I downloaded several. To my surprise, one of them came preloaded with one of my favorite books – a dictionary. I’m sure that definitely qualifies me as a nerd but I honestly love dictionaries.

One of the first books that I remember owning was a dictionary. Of course, my mother read many books to us. I recall the classic Dr. Seuss books and at least a dozen of those ‘Sweet Pickle’ books with “Goose Goofs Off” and “Yakety Yak Yak Yak,” etc. But my dictionary was something special. It was titled “My First Dictionary” and I read all the words from A to Z many times.

In preparation for church, I downloaded the Bible, which also to my surprise had an accompanying dictionary. Thankfully it did because I needed it on Sunday. In our Pastor’s message, which focused on fulfilling life’s purpose, he referenced a less common definition for the word “wait.” The definition for wait he used was a Hebrew translation meaning “to eagerly seek.”

I usually think of “wait” as something that requires little action. Sit there. Stand still. As a physician, I usually try to stay away from the waiting room. It’s where patients describe feeling stuck for hours (even if it’s just 30 minutes) or trapped, feeling helpless.

But this definition of wait was very active. Eagerly seeking means there is enthusiasm, preparation, excitement. I liked this definition much better.

What if we used this definition instead of the inactive one? Perhaps our statements/responses would be much different. Instead of “I’m waiting until January to start my exercise program,” you might say “I’ve found a great exercise program, bought some new athletic shoes and I’m starting a new walking group in my neighborhood.” Instead of “I think this new medicine is making my feet swell, but I will wait until I see my doctor in 4 months,” you might say “I’m going to call my pharmacy to ask if this is a side effect of the medicine and schedule an earlier appointment with my doctor to discuss this.”

When you are actively waiting, your actions are purposeful and you are involved. You are prepared and informed. You are knowledgeable.

There is also expectation when you are actively waiting. Possibly even hope. The stakes are higher when you actively wait. You are invested in the process. You are participating instead of just accepting whatever comes your way.

Sometimes it seems easier to wait passively and do nothing but that’s usually not the best strategy, especially when it comes to your health.

• Will you wait until you develop diabetes before your lose weight?
• Will you wait until you need dialysis before you start taking your high blood pressure medicine?
• Will you wait until you find a lump in your breast before you have a mammogram?
• Or will you eagerly seek good health, accurate health information and a healthier lifestyle?

It’s up to you to decide. What are you WAITING for?