Years ago I heard of an incident which greatly impressed itself upon my memory. The essence of the story was this: A man of God was drawing much attention because of his unusual ministry and effectiveness in a certain community. The local newspaper editor was so impressed that he sent one of his able reporters to interview the minister and learn the secret of his success.
When the reporter arrived, he discovered a room filled with others who were waiting to see the minister. While he waited and waited, he became impatient. It seemed that no one was going in to the busy man’s study. The reporter decided to ask the man’s wife, and she tried graciously to answer for her husband.
"What is the secret of your husband’s success?” the reporter asked. "He seems to be spending a lot of time in there with someone while all the rest of us are kept waiting.”
The wife detected the concern of the reporter and replied, "I know it seems almost rude for him to keep all you folk waiting, and some of the people have such desperate problems needing prompt attention. But you see, here is really the answer to his effectiveness. Since early morning he has seen no one, but has been talking with the ONE who has the answers. When he does come out ”“ and it may be some time yet ”“ he will have God’s Word and answer for each inquirer. You see, actually no time has been lost.”
The reporter left with the discovered secret but with a different kind of story than he had expected.
Living in Christ’s presence means living in the divine viewpoint. It calls to mind the wise counsel of Samuel Brengle, saint of the Salvation Army: "If I were dying and had the privilege of delivering a last exhortation to all the Christians of the world and that message had to be condensed into three words, I would say, ‘Wait on God!’”
He then went on to add: "There is a drawing nigh to God ”“ a knocking at heaven’s door, a pleading of the promises, a reasoning with Jesus, a forgetting of self, a turning from all earthly concerns, a holding on with determination to never let go ”“ that puts all the wealth of Âheaven’s wisdom and power and love at the disposal of a little man, so that when all others tremble and fail and fly, he shouts and triumphs and becomes conqueror in the very face of death or hell.”
Samuel Brengle had learned the laws of ultimacy, priority, sequence, order, timing, and placing which are the means of spiritual efficiency and effectiveness. In short, Brengle had learned the secret of making one’s time count, for in waiting on Him, no time is ever lost ”“ it is redeemed!