Waiting… It can be one of the hardest things to do. While waiting, we have little control over the timing or even the outcome. Think of the family sitting in the hospital anxiously, hoping to hear good news or the small business owner sitting, phone in hand, hoping to hear from the bank on a much needed loan. Sometimes we feel like professional waiters! The Word of God is filled with promises that are rarely fulfilled instantly. We spend a lot of time waiting to see the realization of what our hearts crave come to pass.
And yet, there’s beauty in the waiting.
Think of the bride waiting for her wedding day. She is not complacent in the waiting, she is planning, preparing, creating, and dreaming! The wedding day will be even richer for the those seemingly unending moments of anticipation!
Waiting… we spend much of our lives in the wait mode. If we are not careful, our waiting will become filled with all the wrong things: impatience, laziness, frustration, jealousy, bitterness.
How can our wait become a season of beauty? One in which we grow and thrive?
First, look back… I know, we think that we should never look back, right? Forget the past and push on! But wait! Think on the story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan in Joshua 4. After that miraculous crossing, God had the people set up an alter as a testimony of His mighty works for the generations to come. We want to look back with thankfulness for the blessings we’ve already seen come to pass in our lives! Create a “memorial” to remember all that God has done for you and your family!
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord: yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” Psalm 77:11 NIV
Then, look forward! What are the dreams God has placed in your heart? What are you anticipating coming to pass? What promises have you been declaring over your life? God is the Dream-Giver and He doesn’t place desires for good gifts in your heart without a purpose. Look forward in faith! If your dreams look possible without Divine help, then maybe they’re too small. Dream big with the faith that what you can’t see can truly be! Write down your dreams and lay them at the feet of the Father in faith.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Now… be present in the now. What is the Lord’s plan for you in the now? What will you do in the waiting? As you look back in thankfulness and forward in faith, I dare to declare that your present will be filled with grace for the season you are walking through! God’s grace will sustain you to not just survive, but thrive! He will give you what you need to yield fruit today, now, in your present circumstance. Trust Him! He has created you for His Kingdom purposes long before you stood in this place.1 He is faithful in your today, no matter what it looks like. Be patient in the waiting!
“I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 NIV
Consider these lyrics from Hillsongs’ Seasons, so encouraging!
“I can see the promise
I can see the future
You’re the God of seasons
And I’m just in the winter
If all I know of harvest
Is that it’s worth my patience
Then if You’re not done working
God I’m not done waiting
You can see my promise
Even in the winter
Cause You’re the God of greatness
Even in a manger
For all I know of seasons
Is that You take Your time
You could have saved us in a second
Instead You sent a child”2
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God designed us to live in the present, but not without the benefit of the past or the blossom of the future! Look back in thankfulness, forward in faith, and live in His grace for the now, knowing that there is beauty in the waiting.
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“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
Live Loved,
P.S. You are not alone in your waiting! Others are waiting too… comment and share this encouragement on social media! 🙂
1Ephesians 2:10, Psalm 139:13-16, Psalm 37:3-8
2Lyrics from “Seasons” by Songwriters: Benjamin William Hastings / Ben Tan / Chris Davenport Seasons lyrics © Hillsong Publishing
