“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” -Psalm 130:5 (NIV)
It is in those moments, the chaos of the still in-between where you’re not where you were, yet not where you want to be, that the Lord does some of the most miraculous, beautiful things.
I can attest to the Lord’s faithfulness to fulfill all of His promises to me. However, I can also attest to the Lord being faithful to work in His own timing. That means some things take longer than I may like them to, causing a struggle and tension between where I am and where I want to be. It’s the waiting season. What are some of the things you are waiting on? Grad school acceptance? Financial aid? A future husband or wife? A restored relationship? Your coffee to be finished brewing?
It is very easy to feel discouraged, frustrated, or be inactive during the waiting season. However, I believe that in this beautiful struggle of the in-between is found an invaluable time with the Lord that if we would be open, the Lord could do something He would be unable to do at any other point in time.
So, what do we do in this still-waiting season? Think of Joseph. Joseph was given two dreams from the Lord (Genesis 37:5-11) that one day he would come into a position of great power and authority, so much so that his mother, father, and brothers would bow before him. Before the dream came to be true, Joseph was rebuked by his father, betrayed by his brothers, sold as a slave, thrown into prison, and more. These things all occurred during Joseph’s waiting season.
Joseph very easily could have become frustrated with God, questioned the dreams he was given, refused to honor the Lord during this time, or walked away from God completely. The temptations to do so were certainly there.
Yet, Joseph chose to believe in who his God was and His promises rather than in the chaos surrounding him. As Joseph pressed through, remained faithful, and continued to honor the Lord, God began to show Himself to be sovereign and faithful in ways Joseph would not have seen if he had not endured the waiting season (Genesis 42:6-Fulfillment of the dreams).
[Tweet “He brings us through the waiting with purpose”]
I don’t believe that our Lord just allows seasons of our lives to pass by unnecessarily. I don’t believe that He brings us through the waiting without purpose, or to leave us disappointed, discouraged, or disheartened. No, rather I believe He brings us through these seasons to show us something, to teach us something, to reveal more of His character, or to help us grow. Although the waiting season can be challenging, if we are willing, God will use them for our good (Romans 8:28).
[Tweet “Although the waiting season can be challenging, if we are willing, God will use them for our good.”]
I’m prayerful that you will see the Lord’s faithfulness in each season. I encourage you to, like Joseph, remain prayerful, honorable to the Lord, and not to standstill, but to utilize this time to see God be faithful, close to you and so very compassionate.
He’s in the waiting.