Choosing to Wait on God

“Wait!” This word resonates with feelings of impatience within most of us, as it usually means that we have to delay doing or getting something we want. Most of us do not like to hear this word, especially when it means that we have to wait for a long time. Often, we take a similar stance when we go to the Lord in prayer. We would like answers to our requests immediately, or soon thereafter, but this is not often the way He works. There have been quite a few instances when I implored God to give me the answer quickly, only to have my requests fall on deaf ears…or so I thought.

Remembering that God has a plan

It is often in hindsight that we appreciate not getting a particular desire from our earthly parents. In time we learn that our parents knew that the request was not in our best interests and so they declined to give it to us. If our earthly parents can discern such things, how much more so can our heavenly Father?

God knows us and has had a plan for our lives from the day we were born. All we have to do is to get in line with His will, and He will guide us. However, this is easier said than done, especially when we have to wait to figure things out or when He answers “no” to a request that we thought was in the mighty plan! It was not easy for me to accept that waiting was part of the plan. I had to build my resolve to the point of full reliance on Him.

Trying to do it my way

Years ago I felt that it was time for a career change. A friend had lined up a good opportunity for me at a Fortune 500 company. I was excited at the prospect because it was in keeping with what I wanted. “Finally,” I said to myself. I had been with the present company for several years and felt that it was time I moved on. Thoughts of the new job filled my mind. I wondered about everything, from the people to the office layout. I could not stop myself from dreaming about it. I had prayed fervently to God for guidance in changing my career, and this seemed to be His answer. It was the first job that had all the elements I wanted, so it was perfect.

There had been interviews and other positions over the years, and I was disappointed when nothing materialized. However, I had sensed that each of those possibilities was not the right one, so I continued to pray and wait. While I was looking, I got caught in the cliché of “letting go and letting God.” I thought that if I just prayed about it, but did nothing, I would miraculously receive a job offer. Further meditation on His word revealed that to be a futile thought. You see, our prayers must be supported by our actions. We have to choose to be engaged in the process and not be quiescent. I was enthusiastic about this particular opportunity and believed that it was definitely the answer to my prayers and in accordance with God’s purpose for me.

During the next few days I was excited as I waited for my friend to bring me word of the new job. I went over the job description to see if I had any qualms about any aspect of it. I researched the company and reviewed its policies and operations. The company required loyalty and hard work but was very generous. I called my friend to find out how things were progressing and she said that the process was still ongoing. Days turned into weeks as I waited for an answer. I began to have some doubts, but because I believed that this was “the one,” I squelched my feelings.

I didn’t get the job.

It has been years since that experience and I am still with the same company. What can I say? After I didn’t get the job, I was devastated. I railed at God about how unfair He was. I could not believe that He had not granted me this simple request. After all, I was a believer and was not asking for much—it was a small thing. Lots of people move around, what about me? I was not happy, but I had to let it go eventually and be content with the fact that I was stuck in my current position. Accepting that was hard, but I took each day at a time.

Grow where you are planted

During that period of waiting, I heard a pastor say, “God has a purpose for all of us and when He is ready He will reveal it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I said to myself.

The pastor then continued by saying, “Sometimes that purpose is for you right where you are. Grow where you are planted.”

Something seemed to click then as it suddenly occurred to me that I might be exactly where I should be. It was a revelation. This was God’s plan. I could not see how staying in the same job was beneficial to me, but as I reflected, I saw it was divine intervention. This was a time for me to strengthen my faith and belief and to put my trust entirely in God’s hands. This was where He wanted me, so I looked for ways to be creative with my tasks and to build a Christ-like character. This way I would be a reflection of Him in this job and, perhaps, enlighten someone whose path I might cross. Although I accepted this fact, it was (and still is) a difficult process for God to mold me because I sometimes try to do it my way.

Waiting in ready anticipation…developing a relationship

Later, it became clear that taking the job I had thought was perfect would have been a mistake. Now, whenever I feel frustrated or my patience is tested, which happens when I turn my attention from God, I remember this experience. God is truly great, and if you give yourself to Him and wait with the knowledge that things will work out in your favor, you will see the plan He has for you.

I have found that the key to waiting on God is to wait in ready anticipation. I know that whatever I am facing, He is working it out for me, so I go about my business with that knowledge, constantly focusing and meditating on His word. In doing so, I pursue Him, more than pursuing the answer. Thus, I develop a closer relationship with Him. And as such, the wait is not as agonizing as it once was. Now there is an assurance that whatever the answer, it will be right for me because it is His perfect and pleasing will. All I have to do is to abide in Him and willingly wait on His guidance. It says in Proverbs 20:24, “The Lord directs a man’s steps, so how can anyone understand his own way?” I am finally at peace with this notion. Now I know without a doubt that wherever I am, whatever I am doing, as long as my focus is on Him, this is exactly where God wants me to be.

TweetEmailPrint