I don’t remember anyone telling me that much of the Christian life is waiting. Over my life, I formed a negative opinion of the waiting seasons. I thought God was disciplining me, or I was slow understanding His will. Certainly, I sin often and discipline from my God is a role of a loving Father. And I can cause delays that have nothing to do with God’s activity. But mainly I’ve learned that in the waiting, God is busy. He is lovingly working. And He is working in me, my situation, and sometimes those around me, but that took years for me to grasp.

With my view of waiting as it was, my impatience, petulance, and wondering fueled my mind. I wasted time, and poor decisions were the result. Often, I did not let Jesus carry me to the next season. I cut Him out of daily peace. Like a horse needs blinders to keep it focused and yielded to the pace, I needed them to keep me in the moment while I waited. Corrie Ten Boom prayed, “Lord Jesus keep me in your will. Don’t let me go mad by poking about outside it.”

In a recent waiting season, I decided to turn to Jesus at the start. Instead of telling God what I wanted, I put on my blinders. I disciplined my thoughts and checked my attitude. I noticed instantly that He increased my trust. I remembered that there is one God. He is supreme, omnipotent, and holy, and He is over all and knows all. He is worthy of worship. I decided to embrace these truths, and wait faithfully for His answer.

God’s people had to learn that in Isaiah’s day, and we still do today.

⁶ The Lord is Israel’s King and Redeemer. He is the Lord Almighty. He says,

‘I am the first and I am the last.
    There is no God, except me.
⁷ Is there anyone like me? If there is, he should say so!
    He must tell me why he thinks he is so great.
Long ago, I made my people become a nation.
    Let him say what he has done since then!
    Let him tell us what will happen in future years!
⁸ My people, do not shake with fear.
Long ago I told you about things that would happen.
    You can tell people the truth about me.
You know that I am the only true God.
    There is no other Rock to keep you safe.^[a]
    There surely is no other God except me.’

Isaiah 44:6-8

Every day, I set my mind to honor Him in the wait, and to keep myself busy with His plan. Living intentionally while waiting revealed how poorly I used to wait. I often missed His tender care because my mind was future-oriented, wondering how things would turn out. God has purposes for the waiting. I confessed to God my past wasteful waits. As I did, I could see He was doing a new work in my life. Waiting well was God’s best for me. Don’t waste the waiting!

It is best to understand every single day from God’s view.

That means:

• We are not to squander the current season (Ephesians 5:15-17).
• Every day is important to God’s calendar (Psalm 90:12).
• We are to rejoice and be thankful. If this were our daily attitude, the waiting seasons would not seem so hard (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
• God is working behind the scenes for our good and His glory – If we embraced His love for us, then we would not doubt His good intention during the wait (John 13:7, Psalm 42:5).

Waiting well meant:

• I didn’t spend time wondering what God was doing.
• I chose to accept His activity in my life and make the most of the season, no matter how short or long it lasted.
• I submitted myself to His direction and asked Him to use me during that time.
• I remembered what He had done, brought me through, and how He had performed in my life up to the present season.

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. Psalm 77:11

Waiting well is intentional. Passive waiting is wasting precious time. Get ready for what God will show you in His time. Get ready to say “Yes, Lord.” Be involved in high-minded and intellectual activity that can include ministry, or feeding your soul toward biblical growth. Stay alert, and keep your eyes on Him.

IDEAS TO KEEP YOU IN THE MOMENT:

• Keep up your spiritual disciplines or start one or two – https://valerierumfelt.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/richard-foster-spiritual-disciplines.pdf

• Find verses about a behavior or heart attitude to work on in the present season. Write or type out each verse and make Truth cards – https://valerierumfelt.com/2024/06/17/project-transformation/

• Take a free, online class or Bible study.

• Start a Bible reading plan.

• Work on any household project toward completion.
• Make some financial decisions you’ve put off.

• Make necessary doctor appointments and go.

• Exercise more, and take care of your body.
• Start a new family routine, an exercise routine, or an organizational routine.

• Whatever you like to do, whatever your gift is, focus on it.

• Contact friends you’ve not seen in a while and arrange a visit.

• Increase your prayer life. It will change your life – https://valerierumfelt.com/2025/01/09/how-to-pray-using-scripture/

• Serve in your local church more.
• Watch and listen to beautiful music and participate in art.
• If you are employed, keep giving God’s best to the work.

Decide that you won’t waste time or be negative about the season of waiting. By the time you accomplish your goals, the wait will likely be over.

Did you know a waiting season has gifts? It can produce much righteousness in your character and bring glory to God. And you’ve learned a new strategy to keep your mind in order.

Waiting is never easy, but good things are available to the one who trusts the Lord. While it can take years to learn (and it has taken me years), I am so glad I have strategies now to keep me in the moment when waiting. How do you stay in the moment when in a season of waiting?
Listen: http://Keep Me in the Moment

“If we have abandoned ourselves to God, there is only one rule for us: the duty of the present moment.”
― Jean-Pierre de Caussade

©Valerie Rumfelt

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