The Beauty in Waiting
Would you believe me if I told you there is beauty in waiting? Receive hope and learn what God says about why there is beauty in waiting.
Are you waiting on something? I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who isn’t waiting on something. Have you?
I know we don’t like to think about how God is changing us sometimes because it means we’re having to deny what our flesh wants, but think back to a time when you had to wait. (Not what you’re waiting on now but a previous time.)
Did God make changes in your heart, thoughts, habits, or lifestyle during that time? Do you think if you got what you were waiting for right away that things would have worked out the same?
The other day my son was wanting something and said he didn’t want to have to wait years to get it. I understand that. Waiting is not exactly on the fun list. But this is what I told him:
Often we look at a period of waiting as a time to only be patient and cast down frustrations (“But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” Romans 8:25 NKJV). When instead, we could actually dig a little deeper into how God intends the season to be a wonderful encouragement to us.
God’s Time Table
There is safety in waiting. We can know that we aren’t getting ahead of God, but are keeping pace with Him. Instead of fretting, we can actually enjoy the time of delay, but only if we are resting in Him.
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:7 NASB
Sometimes when we are seeking God for what to do next, He leads us to just wait. God is God, and He is wise. He moves on His time table. He moves on His schedule. Even though we hear this frequently, waiting can be a difficult thing to do. It drives me crazy sometimes.
But God often teams you up with someone that will help balance you out. My husband, Justin, tends to be more cautious about beginning something new or moving to the next step. I usually wanted to have already been on step two yesterday.
Let’s just say God’s used that setup to teach me to keep pace with Him!
What Does It Mean to Sojourn?
The good thing about a season of waiting, though, is that it’s usually temporary.
God’s planning includes even desires coming about in their due season (Psalm 104:27). According to Webster’s New American Dictionary, sojourn means to dwell in a place temporarily.
If you ever find yourself in a place where God is requiring you to sojourn on your journey with Him, then know that God has ordained this time for you to renew your strength for your upcoming season.
The tarrying has a purpose to cause you to become fresh and strong again, even if we don’t feel weak. God knows where we are headed and what is going to happen to us and from that foresight, He ordains a time of waiting.
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14 ESV
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 ESV
Sometimes we aren’t seeking God for what to do next because we are just waiting on what we already know is God’s will to come to fruition. Many times when we are in a holding pattern, it’s for good reason.
What Is The Beauty in Waiting?
God usually has something for us to learn. It might be more than one thing. He will take the opportunity of our circumstance to do a work in us or impart a truth in us if we are yielded to Him.
That’s what’s beautiful: becoming more like Jesus.
The season of waiting is a time of preparation. That’s when we can fall back into His rest and know that it’s a beautiful thing.
What are you waiting on? Do you see any beauty in waiting?
RELATED: The Holy Spirit Uses the Dictionary: 10 Verses on Patience
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