"Wasting" time for the glory of God!

A couple of weeks ago, we went through the process of registering two of our children for a new pre-school.  This sounds simple enough, but in Russia, signing up for pre-school is a big (loooong) ordeal. 

First were the medical tests. All children must have a clinical blood analysis, clinical urine analysis, test for worms, tests for some other types of parasite, and test for TB. Then, they must have an evaluation by these doctors: orthopedic doctor, eye doctor, dermatologist, neurologist, speech pathologist, psychologist, surgeon. We went to doctor’s appointments nearly every day for 2 weeks to fulfill all of the requirements, and of course had many failed attempts when we either had the wrong hours, had brought the wrong container for the analysis samples, or simply needed a second opinion from yet another doctor.

Next, there is a whole battery of documents to collect. Everything must be properly translated, stamped, notarized, etc. otherwise the whole batch becomes worthless and you must start again. My husband scurried around here and there to get everything in order, to figure out which office to go to, and to then spend hours in line before actually getting our documents in. And now we wait to see if we’re accepted. And this is just for pre-school!

I am sure that many of you can relate to this in one aspect of life or another. We come from a culture of convenience and when we bump up against things that are just not what we’re accustomed to in the way of efficiency and speed, it can be downright frustrating and just seem wrong!

I found myself being annoyed by the total waste of time in these procedures. My husband was having to take multiple hours away from ministry in order to fulfill these bureaucratic tasks and I was exhausted after waddling my largely pregnant self around with two pre-schoolers in tow for hours on end. It just felt like a waste.

But God reminded us of several things during this process. First, as Philippians 2:14 tells us, we are to “do all things without grumbling or disputing.” All things… even things that feel pointless! When I had failed at this one morning and had sent my husband a really whiny text message about being given the run around at the medical clinic yet again, he gently reminded me that not only are we commanded not to complain, but that doing so truly will do nothing to help us. So true! 

Secondly, we were reminded that all things that we are called to do, regardless of how seemingly pointless they appear, are part of the Lord’s will for us. If He is sovereign over all things, He certainly could save precious ministry hours by speeding up lines and giving us favor. But often in His better judgment, He chooses not to. We can do nothing about the inefficiencies that we have to face, and they are in fact useful and ordained by God! These trials can be used to refine us and grow us, we can have the opportunity to be salt and light (or the opposite!) in how we endure before others, and I am sure there are many other reasons that God sees the use in allowing us to “waste our time” in these ways.

Can you relate to this struggle in dealing with inefficiency? What is one inconvenience that you face that you are tempted to view as a waste, or where you are most tempted to complain?  Please also share some of the things that have helped you to endure with a godly attitude during such trials, or instances where you've seen inconvenience used to God's glory!