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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)

Read these words this week, and they settled all over me: “No matter what you’re waiting on, remember that God is working in the waiting” (quote by Kristyn Perez).

Waiting is definitely not our fave thing to do. This year has been a season of many waits….waiting on insurance check, waiting on a vehicle to sell, waiting to settle some accounts, waiting to get my washer fixed, waiting at Duke with my brother, etc. I think we get the picture – we all have seasons of waiting – just some of those seasons seem to be on repeat and not of our choosing.

One of the great misconceptions Satan rises to the surface during waiting is God’s lack of involvement in our lives. Waiting seems so wasted and ineffective. Delayed dreams and expectations appear to expire. Yet scripture reminds us that God’s waiting is always for His perfect purposes. Just a glimpse at David’s life, and we find this future king still tending sheep, fighting off a giant and running for his life. Moses waited in the wilderness convinced he was not the one to help his people. Wrongly accused, Joseph spent years in prison waiting for the cupbearer to remember him. The Jewish people waited for the arrival of the Messiah to save and deliver His people.

We know the ending of all these waiting seasons, but the ones who were waiting were just as clueless as we are  – we simply don’t know how God is working or understand His timing.

Just like God ordained every second of the lives of people throughout scripture, He ordains all of our days for His perfect purposes. Our clock may be ticking, but God’s isn’t because He, sweet friends, is eternal. We can trust every season into His care, and He is working even if we don’t see it. Yesterday’s delays and today’s sidelines all align into tomorrow’s fulfillment of God’s divine will – our part is to simply wait, trust and act as He leads us.

As we move into the Christmas season, what are you waiting for? Perhaps it’s relief from a hard year. Perhaps it’s progress toward a goal that seems unachievable. Maybe it’s re-connection with a loved one estranged due to conflict. Could it be we’re waiting for a new year to unveil better days free of unwanted burdens. Regardless of the reason for our wait, God longs to focus our attention away from the cares of this world so we will view life through the perspective of eternity. Bearing fruit even in wide spaces of wait so others will see our hope and determination to follow God’s leading rather than our own.

“Father thank You for pivoting our waiting seasons into glorious opportunities for growth. Teach us to embrace waiting and learn the lesson You will unveil one day at a time.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life