The Wait

Ahh….the wonderful seasons of waiting on the Lord! If you’ve been walking with the Lord for some time you know what I’m talking about. There are these seasons when the Lord just tells us something along the lines of: “don’t worry, I love you, just wait”. The most beautiful (or painful if you like to be in control) part of it is that when He reveals initially what we’re waiting for, it doesn’t usually make much common sense. In my personal experience, it’s always something that sounds so beautiful and sits well with us, but we’re not quite sure exactly what He’s talking about – until He decides to give more clarity, which He always does.

When the Lord asks us to wait, the best thing to do is to wait. Whether we know why or not, we should wait. I’ve learned to trust the Lord with everything I have, with my whole life. If there is anyone worthy of trust, anyone worthy of praise, anyone who is able to do anything good, it’s the Lord.

Look up into the heavens.
Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another,
calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
not a single one is missing.
O Jacob, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles?
O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?
Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
~Isaiah 40:26-31

I remember the first time my husband and I went through a season of waiting, I was so anxious. I would lose my peace, lose my cool, worry all the time… I really wasn’t a pleasant person to be around. Until I heard the Lord whisper to me “you really should be resting in me. You should be having a good time and resting… you’re in my care”. That word He gave me came like an anointing oil, and it felt awesome. Right away my whole disposition changed. You see, waiting isn’t the most comfortable of things to do in this day and age. How do you explain to your entourage that you’re waiting on God, because He asked you to? These kinds of statements just don’t fit into the “productivity first” culture we live in. To top it off, I’m one of those people who likes to stay on top of things. When I do go into a season of waiting, I have learned to keep my focus firmly on the Lord and to hold on to His word. The enemy’s attacks will come from all over. They bring doubt, ridicule, and persecution…anything and everything to get you off the Lord’s path and to make you stray. Unfortunately, the enemy will stop at nothing and they’re very ruthless. Any open door they can find to get to you, they will use it. That’s why it’s so important to always wear the full armor of God that Paul talks about in the book of Ephesians.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
~Ephesians 6: 10-18

While you wait, you might have to take some time and some space to make sure you don’t veer off track. Don’t be afraid to respectfully retreat if you need to. Find your way to that secret place with the Lord, and allow His holy spirit to minister to you.

Bottom line is this: when God asks you to wait, don’t worry or overthink it. Allow Him to perfect His work in you. In time, He will reveal to you what you need to know.