Jim Elliot once wrote to his parents:
No one warns young people to follow Adam's example. He waited till God saw his need. Then God made Adam sleep, prepared for his mate, and brought her to him. We need more of this "being asleep" in the will of God. Then we can receive what He brings us in His own time, if at all. Instead we are set as bloodhounds after a partner, considering everyone we see until our minds are so concerned with the sex problem that we can talk of nothing else when bull-session time comes around. It is true that a fellow cannot ignore women -- but he can think of them as he ought -- as sisters, not as sparring partners!
Elizabeth Elliot, Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot, p. 50.
Consider these words from the prophet Bill Withers:
Good things might come for those who wait, but not for those who wait too late. We've got to go for all we know.
Yeah, Abe's got a point. I thought it was a very interesting and enlightening quote, but I was definitely looking at it from the woman's perspective. Of course I'm supposed to wait...but how do men wait on the Lord? Well....Adam didn't necessarily ignore his needs; he apparently just trusted GOd to put him to sleep when He saw fit. And Eve wasn't automatically his wife when he woke up. First Adam said "This is now bone of my bones...." Presumably Adam could have chosen not to take Eve. So there seems to be personal responsibility in play. hmmm
Adam seems a curious example of patience. I've also been very patient in waiting for God to give me a magic ring that can make me invisible.
How does it square with the Elliots' teaching on male initiation and leading? This could very easily lend itself to a passive, inactive waiting, wherein you blame God for your state of frustration instead of taking responsibility. And 'tis better to be married than to burn in our lust, Paul says.