In the Waiting

Have you ever gotten tired of waiting? 

Do you lose patience even waiting in line for something?

Have you ever gotten frustrated because something didn’t match up with your timetable?

I have always known I’m fairly impatient, but learning to “wait on the Lord” has become somewhat of a theme in my life. Especially over the past decade or so I have really sought to release control and trust in the Lord completely. Sometimes even to the point of utter disappointment and frustration; wondering if God even hears my prayers.

I have had moments where I questioned God. Moments where I cried to Him. Moments where I accused Him and shook my fists at Him. I have had moments where I yelled at Him and faced my disappointments and unmet expectations with Him. 

Through it all, God has remained the same. Unwavering. Faithful. Kind. Patient. Loving. Merciful and gracious. I am almost ashamed to say that I haven’t always waited well in my attitude, but looking back, I can see how it was instilling something in my spirit and character that could not have been produced any other way. 

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Recently, God has really been comforting me and giving me supernatural peace “in the waiting”. I don’t have all the answers or details figured out right now, but I trust that things are unfolding that I can’t fully comprehend. Rather than trying to understand it, I’m trying to trust it. 

The journey to this point of trusting God in my life hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been worth it! Often times, however, with obedience comes sacrifice. Learning to die to yourself and your own ways is a sacrifice of your life laid down before the Lord. I have not arrived, I am still learning and growing in how to best do this, but it is my desire to fully offer my whole life as a sacrifice to the Lord. Not just to be used by Him, but to know Him. To see Him. To hear Him. To partner with Him in establishing His Kingdom here on earth. I want to be close to Him. To feel His heartbeat.

Moving to Kenya was a leap of faith towards a dream and desire that has been in my heart for over a decade. Waiting for the perfect timing and direction from the Lord, I assumed things would rapidly become clear and just happen once I got here. I definitely believe things are unfolding, but not in my timing and definitely not how I expected! I guess maybe I thought because I have been waiting for so long, now all the waiting was over and everything would just appear. POOF!! Easy! Suddenly I wouldn’t have to wait for anything ever again. Lol. 

So, I guess, the bad news is, we’ll be “waiting on the Lord” the rest of our lives this side of Heaven. But the GOOD NEWS is, when we wait, we know we’re getting the REAL THING. We’re getting His BEST. His version of our lives. His plans and His ways come to pass in and with our lives when we wait on Him.

We will always be “in the waiting” as we wait for our King to return. The question is, what are you doing in the waiting? How are you waiting? How are you trusting Him in the waiting? 

Isaiah 40:31

But those who wait on 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.

There are things I have been praying about for years that are coming to pass and starting to unfold and although I’m so excited, I am cautious. I am waiting. I am trusting the Lord to reveal His timing and His plan and His heart and His ways. I don’t want to make a move without Him. Right now, I’m obeying in the smallest and simplest of things daily and I’m waiting on all the rest to come. I know something is being birthed “in the waiting”.

Pray. Wait. Listen. Obey. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.