Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Lately, I’ve been learning the lost art of “lingering” in conversations. “Lingering” in conversations means waiting, being comfortable with silence, and giving the person plenty of time and space to process what they’re feeling and thinking. Since I’ve been a pastor (who’s also a man) for nearly 20 years, I’ve gotten so accustomed to “figuring out the problem and finding a solution.” Lately, I’ve realized that’s not usually helpful in conversations. In fact, it can detract from what’s more important: allowing my friend, church member, or care seeker freely express their emotions, articulate themselves and find clarity.
Lingering in conversations is becoming more of a lost art because it’s becoming increasingly difficult for people to just wait. In fact, very few people need to wait anymore. While we’re waiting in line to order food, we’re listening to music or a podcast. When we’re waiting at the doctor’s office, we’re scrolling through social media. When we’re waiting in traffic, we’re responding to texts. Is it possible that we might be missing out on something really important when we don’t wait? Contrary to what some may think, when we’re waiting, we’re not doing nothing. Waiting is only a waste of time if we treat it as a waste of time. When we’re waiting, we can be thinking, reflecting, or even praying. When we’re waiting, we can be renewing our strength.
