I identify with Peter the apostle more than any other. If Jesus was walking on the water toward me, I’d jump out of the boat. When I sense that Jesus is asking me to do anything big, I immediately wonder what’s next.
How can I plan? What is the next step? I pull out my journal and I start dreaming. I know this is the way God wired me. The good in that is that I am not afraid to dream big. The challenge in that is when days, weeks, and even years pass and it hasn’t happened.
Our human nature is to either think we heard wrong, or maybe we did something wrong.
But what if the waiting is part of the plan?
It was for Joseph. It was for Noah. It was for Hannah and so many others. When we look back we see how the waiting prepared Joseph to lead. We see how waiting allowed Noah to build something that would hold through the storms. Hannah’s faith and prayers were instrumental.
We can also see how trying to make it happen in our own time can be disastrous. Sarah and Abraham were so frustrated with the timing of God’s promise that they made their own plan. God was faithful, but they threw a kink in the plan with ramifications that spanned generations.
In today’s More Than Small Talk podcast, Holley, Jennifer, and I honestly talk about the things that trip us up in our relationship with God. It’s the stuff that makes it hard sometimes. For me, it’s waiting even though I know that waiting is often where God does his best work in me.
If God said “go” and you are in a waiting season, these are things that help me in those hard places.
Live where you live. . .
This simply means to appreciate where you are. Look for the assignments around you. Notice the people in front of you. Ask God what he’s trying to show you in this waiting part of the plan.
Take your eyes off the finish line
Take your eyes off the finish line to see the miracles taking place in you. God often works in you before working through you. It’s all part of the plan. The start line. The running with wind in your hair. The waiting. The falls. Getting back up. These count too.
If God says “go” and there’s a waiting season, that isn’t a no on his part. He may be doing his greatest work in you before working through you. #livingfreetogether
Ask
If you sense that you are waiting and it’s not because you’re supposed to, ask the Lord. The answer may be, “Take that scary step.” There’s no guarantee that you won’t fall or fail. But that doesn’t mean that it’s a failure. Instead, it’s a journey of faith and discovery.
Are you in a waiting season?
Share one thing that you believe God is doing in you while you wait, or tell us one fear you have about stepping “out of the boat.”
And if you want to take this deeper with me, Holley, and Jennifer, check out today’s More Than Small Talk podcast. The conversation is pretty raw and vulnerable, but I believe there’s value in talking about these things. Don’t you?
You can find it on iTunes, KLRC.com, and on any of your favorite podcast apps.
When God says go and nothing happens, it may feel like a “no.” That’s not true. If he spoke it, the plan has already started. His timing is perfect. Don’t take it into your own hands, but ask him for the next step. If it’s “trust me,” do that for he’s doing something beautiful in you.
Suzie
Related Resources
The resources mentioned in today’s More Than Small Talk Podcast are:
- Spirit-Led Heart: Living a Life of Love and Faith Without Borders by Suzanne Eller
- Freedom! The Gutsy Pursuit of Breakthrough and Life Beyond It by Jennifer Watson
- Hope Your Heart Needs by Holley Gerth
Listen to More Than Small Talk podcast on KLRC or your favorite podcast app
One thing He is doing in me is bringing me to a place of full surrender. A place where He is Lord over every area and every person in my life. This is a painful and scary process but He is teaching me. I believe that is where He needs me to be to do what He wants to do in and through me.
I’ve been waiting for a very long time. The only way I can take control is to do something that I feel very strongly goes against God’s word. I just don’t understand that. I have to trust Him that the waiting has purpose. During this time of waiting my relationship with Him has grown, and I feel have been able to support people in ways I couldn’t before because of this season. I have to trust that there is still better ahead, and that I still have something to learn even thought I can’t see it God can. Everyone just hang on!!!! God keeps His promises!
This is so beautifully written. Exactly where I am in my walk w the Lord. Holy Spirit timing. Priceless.
Waiting is the toughest part! Everyone wants instant results (including me) but the waiting is where He works and we learn and grow. We always seem to forget that part.
I loved walking up to these insights this morning. Thank you, Suzie! I keep hearing three things from him:
1. Trust more. Trust deeper.
2. Abide. That’s where I’ll find comfort and hope and joy, and deepened confidence of his love for me and his good plans for me.
3. He is fighting for me. I need only to be still.
Your words this morning are ongoing confirmation that what I keep hearing really is from him.
Thank you, and enjoy your day!
Ask. Jesus called Peter out of the boat after Peter asked Him to.
Powerfully Suzie!
One thing I try to focus on is to GO DEEP. It’s easy to look at the horizon and want to be there. Only God controls that. But we can access the vertical now. High and deep. What a timely reminder. Per usual from you!
This article really touched me at a very vulnerable time. I would just like to know how to diligently seek God. They spend time in the word, but where do you start? I’m at such a crossroad. I sense God but not sure how to go deeper with my relationship with him. I want to know his purpose for my life. How do I pray and seek his answer and confirmation?
Love Angie
Angelee, when we watch Jesus he simply met people where they were. So, right where you are, say yes to a relationship with him. He already knows you. He loves you. Then the process of getting to know him begins. Talking to him. Reading scripture. Daily learning more about him, which allows you to discover more about who you are. If there is a church or Bible study group locally, it’s good to grow in your faith with others. We are here with you if you have more questions.
Can’t wait to listen to this podcast episode! It’s next on my list. (One thing I love about life in America is unlimited roaming wi-fi, so I can listen in the car!!! 🙂 ) I love what you’re saying about remembering your life is more than that one goal or dream. We can enjoy the life around us while we wait! But it can be hard to remember when we’re in that uncomfortable “not yet.”