I’m really bad at waiting – or rather, I hate to wait. I’m a bad wait-er. I’m a foot tapping, sighing, “oh my gosh, I’m going to die here” wait-er. When I was a kid, the worst possible answer was, “let me think about it” followed by the equally disturbing, “I’ll talk to your father.” Every kid knows it’s the answer that is no answer.
In my faith walk, I’m starting to realize waiting has purpose.
God isn't a stressed out parent trying to put off begging and pressure. Click To TweetHe’s up to something in my life, for my good – it doesn’t mean I like it though.
All through the Bible, you see stories of waiting. People waited 400 years to hear from God, Sarah waited until she was in her nineties to have a child, Noah waited and prepared for a storm for over 80 years, the Israelites waited 40 years to enter the promised land, God waited two days to resurrect His Son.
Waiting. If I let Him, God does a lot in the space and time I call waiting. As I wait, I learn to let go and look to Him for the answer and He grows my trust. Down the road, I look back and see His answer (yes or no) was perfect and right and it grows my faith.
When there seems to be no answer and only silence, He grows my dependence. God lovingly uses waiting to prepare me. He goes before me. His timing is perfect, He never fails – He is right on time.
Sometimes waiting is painful, feels endless and hard. There are no guarantees in waiting.
Hebrews 6:15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
Now that’s what I’m talking about! I wait, I receive. There’s a scripture I like, one that brings comfort. That’s what’s supposed to happen, right? I wait patiently and receive.
Except…it doesn’t always work like that.
I think a better picture of waiting by faith is expressing myself to God and being certain He hears me, loves me and works all things for my good – even if the outcome isn’t what I hope for, long for. Even if the outcome is bad.
The challenge is to hold on and trust – while waiting for test results to come back, while waiting to have and hold a child, while waiting for a loved one to come home, get sober, get help. While lonely and waiting for love, while waiting for a relationship to be restored.
I will trust you, worship, love and serve you as I wait – and try not to tap my foot.
If you have experienced God’s help, a lesson, miracle or struggle – won’t you consider sharing it on the Share Your Story page? Together, we can create a space for people to be encouraged and gain hope through your stories of God’s faithfulness.
God gave you a story, I created a place to share it.
(Well actually my genius computer guy, Micah Murray did that)
Nancy Altic
July 21, 2017You have such a way with words. I love love love reading your blog. You keep me inspired. Love you Liz
Liz
July 21, 2017Thank you, Nancy! You are sweet – it means so much to me that you read it and God uses it. I love you too, my friend! Xoxo
John
July 22, 2017I Love this. I have a waiting story. I remember a time when I was serving as a children’s minister and needed a scholarship for a youth to go to camp. I kept the application on my desk for weeks praying for God to provide the funding. Our office was on the way home from school for the youth so she stopped in a few times a week asking if we had the funding. I told her not to worry we would get it. I was talking on the phone one day and the church secretary came in my office and placed an envelope on my desk. When I hung up the phone, I opened the envelope and inside was a letter and a check for a total scholarship. I ran down the hall shouting about how amazing God is.
God always uses those willing to be his hands and feet!!! I cry every time I tell this God story!
Liz
July 22, 2017God is good – I’ve always loved your enthusiasm and heart for God – serving with you was a joy and a blessing. ❤️❤️❤️
Julie Dibble
January 10, 2018Dear Liz, you have a tremendous gift in bringing Scripture to life. Thank you on behalf of all of us who need to hear His message plainly, His truth wrapped in love, from a brave Kingdom worker who will share of herself💙
Liz
January 10, 2018Thank you Julie ❤️ Your words truly mean so much – I may re-read them on a day the doubt creeps in. We are kingdom workers – love that – and love how God put us in each other’s paths to link arms and support each other. Thank you again for your words – they sincerely mean a lot to me. ❤️