One of the great debates among Christians is whether you should act on what you believe is your purpose in life or wait on God to show you how to make it happen. On one hand, waiting demonstrates humility and acknowledges that we trust God. However, it can also make us lazy and allow us to waste our lives instead of stewarding our God-given talents.
Things to do While Waiting on God
The Bible talks a lot about waiting on God. In doing so it shows us that waiting isn’t a passive activity. There are things we’re called to do as we wait on God.
Believe God Hears Your Cries
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? – Romans 8:32
As we look towards the cross we see that God is for us. He wants to give us His very best but sometimes that takes time. During this time we must be content as we wait patiently on His answers.
Watch Expectantly but Prepare for the Unexpected
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. – Psalm 5:3
God faithfully answers our prayers – frequently in unexpected ways because sometimes we have to be uncomfortable so that both God and we get what we desire. For instance, we’re called to love like Jesus which means we must stop demanding that we have our way all the time and start putting God first.
Place Your Hope in His Word
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. – Psalm 130:5-6
Sometimes we’re tempted to place our hope in things that will ultimately disappoint us. However, only when we place our hope in Christ can we confidently wait on God. The failures we experience throughout our lives show us that Christ is the only one who will never disappoint us.
Trust in God, Not in Your Understanding
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
We’re so tempted to rely on our wisdom instead of trusting God. Yet, the Bible continually reminds us that abundant life is found in God alone. When you encounter your next season of waiting, take a look at where your trust is.
Be Strong and Courageous
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. – Psalm 31:24
Fear tends to creep in while we wait on God. However, God empowers us to be courageous as we look to the cross and all He’s already done for us. These things should remind us that regardless of what we go through now it’ll pale in comparison to the blessings we’ll receive in Heaven.
Continue Praying and Praising God
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; – Colossians 4:2
As we wait on God to guide us down the right path we may stop praying and give in to a spirit of cynicism instead. Just because things don’t happen when we expect them to doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t persevere in prayer.
Remember that Blessings will Come
And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. – Isaiah 30:18
When we get caught up in satisfying our flesh we’ll grow frustrated and discouraged. However, when we remain steadfast in our faith we have a great eternal joy to look forward to. This is something we should frequently remind ourselves of as we wait on God.
The Blessings of Waiting on God
Learning to wait on God is an integral part of our relationship with Him. It also plays a vital role in our spiritual development. There are some very important lessons that we can learn during these seasons of our lives.
God Shows Us He’s with Us in the Waiting
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. – Exodus 33:14
Moses faced a lot of discouragement, loneliness, and waiting throughout his ministry. However, God reassures Moses that he isn’t alone, that He is with him. God’s presence brought great rest to Moses when he needed it most. This rest is something we can also experience as we wait on God.
We’ll Look More Like Christ
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ – Philippians 1:6
When we place our faith in Christ we’re ushered into God’s family and He starts to transform us into Christ’s image. As we wait on God our dependence on and trust in Him deepen. This is yet another reason why we should be grateful for these periods in our lives: They’re a spiritual investment in our future holiness.
God’s Plans are Better than Ours
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28
When we wait on God we may be tempted to feel as though He’s forgotten about us and our happiness. However, what we tend to forget is that God is dedicated to transforming us into the likeness of Christ. So, while He’s a good Father who wants to give us good gifts, oftentimes they’re different from what we expect. Many times they’re also far better than anything we desired.
God Shows Us How He Cares for Us
“Give us this day our daily bread.” – Matthew 6:11
Here we’re taught to take life one day at a time, trusting that God will provide us everything we need for that day. Most of us want the whole loaf of bread all at once because we want to know how things will turn out. However, God knows that if He told us everything all at once we’d become fearful and run in the other direction.
Friend, You Can Wait on God
It’s normal to wait on God to provide, lead, act, and direct our lives. Thankfully we have everything we need so that we can wait well. So, instead of becoming frustrated, we can choose to allow Him to birth new spiritual fruits and blessings in our lives. The choice is yours, what will you choose today?
Choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. – Joshua 24:15
