Waiting can be difficult.
Be it a new job, buying a house, finding your purpose, having a child, healing in your body, getting married and more . . . everybody has been in a place where they are waiting on God to move in a particular area in their lives.
There are times when waiting is a piece of cake, and then there are times when I want to smash the piece of cake in somebody’s face. (I hear “eat the cake Anna Mae” in my head.) Waiting can seem long and tenuous. Exercising patience feels painful and producing hope seems hard when you are waiting on God to move without evidence of Him working behind the scenes.
During my waiting, I’ve listened to many a sermon and read many a book about waiting on God. One theme that repeatedly comes up is how God is making you wait because either you’re not ready or the circumstance is not ready. Therefore, the waiting period is meant to prepare you while God does what only He can do.
In a vulnerable, impatient moment with God, I asked, “well, how jacked up was I?! I’ve been waiting for a while. If you’ve been getting the circumstances ready all this time, how unprepared must I be?” I even went on to ask, “Are you waiting for me to be perfect because (insert name of married friend here) isn’t anywhere near perfect and never went dateless as long as I have?” Then, because I wasn’t quite high enough on my pride ladder, I thought, “Dang, maybe my future husband is the one that is jacked up? Lord, how jacked up is he? Can’t you just send another if he’s going to be this much work? His restoration is slowing down my journey to have sex again.”
(I see your side-eye. Don’t judge me. I’m keeping it real with ya’ll.)
Whew, but God.
In His grace and mercy, He has shown me how to seize the current season and make the most out of my wait. I don’t want to look back in regret because I didn’t maximize the time He gave me. Yes, I can sleep as late as I want and manage my finances any way I desire, but it’s bigger than that.
This waiting is not just for me.
This experience is also meant for me to empower someone else with the knowledge that has been given to me. This season can be spent encouraging others who may go through a similar season at a different time. If I can help equip others, hopefully, they aren’t tempted to smash their impatient piece of cake in someone’s face.
Here are some practical tips on how to seize the season of waiting:
- Develop a relationship with Jesus – I know this may seem cliché, but I promise it’s absolutely important! To live this life God’s way, you’re going to have to know Him intimately. He desires fellowship with us, and we can’t walk in that fellowship without spending time with Him. Spending time with him means consistently reading your Word and praying. This will help your relationship with God grow to new heights. You’ll know His voice and stay on the path He has created for you. He’ll also show you what you need to work on to be better prepared for his will in your life.
- Heal from trauma – to be your best self and spread love not hurt, you’ll need to learn how to deal with past or present trauma. Hurt people hurt people, especially if they haven’t addressed the root of the hurt. Address your issues and learn the beauty of forgiveness to ensure you are spreading love, not pain. Find a Christian therapist or wise counsel to help you walk in the freedom Jesus died to give you.
- Be a good steward of your resources – be it finances, time or skills, learn how to properly manage what God has given you. If He can trust you with a little, He’ll be willing to trust you with more at the right time. Wasting what gifts or talents you have doesn’t help you or anyone else and it doesn’t bring God glory. Seek God for direction on how to use what He’s blessed you with.
- Pursue your dreams – write the book, take the trip, attend the class, build the business, accept the job, and more! God has a purpose for your life and wants you to walk in it. Use the waiting time as preparation to find what drives you and what amplifies your joy.
- Build community – everyone needs to be connected to someone else. Whether that person is experiencing a similar wait or they have walked in your shoes, it’s important to have others around for understanding and encouragement. Iron sharpens iron. Learn from someone else’s journey so you don’t have to learn the hard way. We’re not meant to do life alone. It’s crucial to have a friend, associate, or mentor.
Waiting on God has been an unexpected blessing. Seizing my single season has opened doors I never imagined possible. From getting to know God on a much deeper level, traveling to new places near and far, starting a blog while building my corporate career along with opportunities to pour into others, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with all God has done in my life. Even in my not-so-great moments of impatience or loneliness, this season has taught me what true contentment looks like.
As you patiently wait for God to move, in whatever area of your life, remember there is a plentiful harvest if you seize the season.
Lord, I pray for those who are waiting on you to move in their life. Remind them that nothing is impossible for you. Guide them and direct them in your purpose as they wait. Lord, help them seize the season and be good stewards of this time in their lives. Thank you for being a purposeful God. We love you! Amen.
