For the very rushed and fast-paced world we live in, we have to do lots of waiting. Thankfully, through the waiting, we can learn a lot and glorify our Father even when it is tough. We serve a very intentional and on time God. “With all my heart I will praise you, O my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death.” Psalm 86:12-13

  As you and I both know, there seems to be a certain timeline of life that society has created. At what age we should be done with school, find a career, be married, start having kids, etc. We have created this pressure of needing to accomplish certain things by a certain time. It seems that everyone is always rushed to get to the next thing or stage of life. That pressure can be a big burden a lot of us carry (especially when you don’t get to those things at the time or age you thought you were going to). I, too, have fallen into the trap of feeling like I should be to a certain point in life by a certain age. “Why don’t I have a boyfriend yet? Should I go to school? What do I need to study? Should I have moved out by now? When do I need to have that big girl job?” Thoughts of the unknowns in our lives start to spiral. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34

  A little over a year ago, I decided to drop out of college and work. During this season of waiting and trying to figure out what to do with my life, I have learned much more than I could’ve imagined. While it has been one of the biggest blessings in disguise for me, it also has been challenging. For me, comparison has been the toughest. During this time, I have found myself comparing to some of my closest friends and looking at where the Lord has them versus where He has me. As you’ve heard many times, comparison is the thief of joy. Oh, is that so true! You can be in the middle of the sweetest season and still look around and find something or someone to compare yourself to.

  When the unrealistic timeline that we create in our head doesn’t get met, disappointment follows. We start questioning God and what He is doing. “God has promised to supply all of our needs. What we don’t have now, we don’t need now.” I heard this quote the other day and it was just the reminder I needed! What a beautiful truth. He has been very generous in giving us what we have right now, and also in not giving us what we don’t need yet.

  The good news for us is we have a very intentional and on time Father. When we don’t meet those certain timeline expectations, we can rest knowing that He is always on time and He knows what our future days hold. A verse I have clung onto during this season of waiting and figuring out is Psalm 139:16. “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

  Throughout the Bible, there are countless stories of people waiting. Waiting on healing, children, spouses, etc. The thing that sticks out to me about all of these stories is the way the Lord worked through them in the hard days before they got what they were praying and waiting for. As each of them were struggling and going through some of their hardest days, God did a big work in their hearts. What a testament and encouragement that is to us in our own walks when we are struggling. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13

  So many of us are in the waiting right now, but why are we waiting to live until God answers that prayer or until we get to that next thing? May we enjoy this season, listen for the Lord and live while in the waiting. “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” James 5:11

  Where has the Lord worked and moved in your life through the waiting?

  I encourage you to ponder that question today. Waiting can have such a negative connotation around it, but it truly is a very rewarding and sweet season if you’re spending your time looking for the Lord in everything. “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” Lamentations 3:25

  In my waiting, I have seen firsthand the beauty that comes from giving my doubts and fears of the unknown to the Lord. While learning to trust Him fully, He has blessed me with the sweetest people, new opportunities and open doors. Whether you’re waiting on a relationship, job, family or an answer, I encourage you to surrender your worries fully to Him. It goes beyond my understanding when I think about all the people and opportunities that have connected to each other during this time. Only by Him. “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7