As we enter this new year, many of us are looking back with joy and satisfaction because of all the great things God did. However, if we are being honest, there’s also a large number of us who look back and ask God “Why were you silent?”, “When will you bring the right man/woman into my life?”, or “When will you fulfill that promise you made to me?” I too am playing the waiting game with my book. I keep wondering when the time will come to finally be published. It’s definitely hard to play the waiting game, but how can we make the most of these seasons?
Be Satisfied With Where You are At
I spent twenty four long years dreaming of being in a relationship before I started dating my girlfriend. I’ve always wanted to be married and craved the companionship dating and marriage brought. Yet, all the girls I liked had no interest in me and vise versa. Both my older brothers got married before they turned 24. My sister got married at 21. I honestly thought I’d never find anyone.
All this time I expended so much energy worrying and searching. Now that I’m reaching a year and a half of dating my girlfriend, I realize everything has both good and bad sides. I love my girlfriend and dating her has been great, but there’s some things I miss about being single. I had much more alone time with God when I was single, and I was much more dependent on God for my companionship.
I’m not saying I wish I were still single. I love dating my girlfriend, but I wish I had enjoyed my single years a little more. Each season has its blessing. It helped me a lot during these waiting seasons to recognize the blessings and enjoy them while they lasted. For example, since I’m not published, I don’t have to worry about the possibility of fame. I don’t have anyone pretending to be my friend because I’m popular. I know there’s a lot of stress and difficulty that will come after I get published, so it’s nice right now to enjoy the ease and the freedom I have with no deadlines.
Find the Gold Hidden in the Waiting Game
There’s a reason God has you in your current season. You might not ever understand the reason, but I can promise you it’s there. God isn’t some evil dictator either. He’ll intentionally hold you back from want you want if he knows giving it to you in that way and at that time will end up hurting you.
Instead of getting mad at God for taking so long or for bringing you to a bad season, thank God for what you have. You have opportunities now you won’t have in the future. You can do things now that the future won’t permit. There are people in your life right now that need the gospel who won’t be in your life in another year. Perhaps God is waiting for you to embrace your current season and be faithful with what he’s already given before he opens the door to the next season?
Be Patient with the Waiting Game
Just a week ago I turned down the second contract offer for my book. They offered to pay for the editing, cover design, and the promotion. Trust me, it was hard to turn down, but I knew God was calling me to something else. I don’t know what it will be, but I trust it’s a fit for me.
God will give you the direction you need and carry you to the next season when the time is right. Don’t try to force it to happen. Let him direct you. He knows what is best. And if he says waiting is best for the time being, who are we to argue.
Though others might look at our achievements to determine how important we are, God looks at your heart and sees your future. You are no less important to him now during the waiting game than you are after changing the world. You don’t have to do anything to earn his favor. At the same time, we also need to make sure we are ready when he does call us into the next season. Patience does not equal laziness.
Our job is not to change the world. Our job is to be faithful. We are called to faithfully follow God. If we do follow him, we will make the right impact on the world and play a key part in making God’s name known. This means we must lay our plans, hopes, and dreams before God and say “use me as you see fit.”
I hope this post is an encouragement to you. Don’t get discouraged if you’ve been playing the waiting game for a long time. Instead, be satisfied with where you are at, be faithful with what God has given you, and be patient. Wait for God’s timing.
What about you? What are you waiting for God to do in your life?
If you can’t discern how God is leading you, than you may want to check out my post Stop and Listen for God’s Calling in Your Life
If you are always afraid of failure, I hope you will be encouraged by my post 1 Easy Biblical Secret to Never Fail Again
