The Waiting Season.

When we think of the waiting season, what comes into mind? A long, strenuous and exhausting period of life as we await for the promises of God to come into reality? Or do we see it as an opportunity of growth and deeper intimacy with Jesus? James 1:2-3 lets us know that in every season there is a purpose so we should rejoice. God isn’t one who does or allows things to happen for a laugh (2nd Peter 3:9). He has better things to do than to be messing about. When the children of Israel were in Egypt awaiting for the promise God gave to their forefather Abraham of redemption, they did not know nor understand the reason why things were taking so long. We know this because when Moses first told them Gods plan of rescue they worshipped God (Exodus 4:31) however as time went on and their situation began to worsen than improve- they became weary, no longer believing in their hearts that God would truly fulfil the promise (Exodus 5).

See, this is the same with us humans today. God gives us a promise/word of redemption, restoration, blessings and we get excited, full of faith or may even begin to walk by faith- applying all that we know to do in order to partner with God in fulfilling the promise. However, as time goes on- we begin to look around wondering ‘did I hear God right? Or was it just my own voice?’, ‘when is the promise going to be fulfilled?’, ‘will God truly keep his word?’ (You can insert your own personal thoughts here). We become like the Israelites- weary and faint hearted, truly questioning the faithfulness and integrity of God and his Word.

The beauty of God is that He expects us to get weary, tired and frustrated in the waiting season and not once will He condemn us or love us any less. In fact the bible lets us know that He lifts those who are bent beneath their loads (Psalm 145:15). However, what the Lord does expect is for us to come to Him in our weariness and allow Him to give us rest and strength for the journey (Psalm 27:14, Matthew 11:28-30)

The waiting season isn’t a season one is always meant to understand but rather it is a season where one is to obey. Obedience to God isn’t always fun nor is it always understandable but is required of us.

God has a purpose in the waiting season. In the Lord, your season of waiting on Him is never in vain, no matter what your circumstances, feelings, mind or enemy may tell you. God is more concerned about your character than He is about your comfort hence why before He brings us into our promise land, He takes us on a journey of deconstruction and reconstruction. He cuts off that which isn’t fruitful in us so we can bear much fruit in Him (John 15). You see my friend, without the waiting season we would not be ready for the promise. Why? Because we wouldn’t gain the characteristics, skills, abilities, mindsets necessary to help us attain, sustain, steward and manage the promise well when it arrives. In other words; we’ll be too immature for the promise.

God loves us too deeply to allow us be destroyed by any blessing given by Him. If it were so, it would contradict the promise given in Proverbs 10:22 or 2nd Peter 3:9.

Hannah (2nd Samuel 1); was a woman who earnestly sought God for a son and grew weary of her dream ever coming to pass. God did not give her the promise until she came to a place of surrender. Her prayer request wasn’t the issue, her heart posture was. It wasn’t until she truly surrendered her heart to God that she received Samuel. God in his infinite wisdom knew if He gave her Samuel any sooner- she would have idolised him. Out of her surrendered heart, God was able to be glorified; Samuel grew up to be nightly used by God.

The bible shows multiple examples of people who demanded their promise before they were ready and it didn’t work out well for them. One example would be the prodigal son- he requested for his birth right way to early and it landed him in a pig style. A blessing given outside of the right season has the potential of becoming a curse. So while we are focused on the object, God is more concerned with the heart, for man may look at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart and He always has the bigger picture in mind (1st Samuel 16:7)

This then begs the question: ‘what is the purpose of such a season?’. There are many reasons for why God takes us through the waiting season. Nevertheless, from my own personal experience and time spent with the Lord, this is what I have come to learn and understand.

The waiting season- the period in between the promise given and the promise fulfilled is designed to:

• Grow and mature us in every way. Without maturity one cannot handle the promise.

• Learn and discern God’s voice

• Grow in obedience to God’s voice

• Learn to partner with God through prayer

• Build necessary skills and character needed for the next phase of life

• Learn who God is and trust his character (how will your faith in God grow if there’s nothing opposing/resisting/threatening it?)

• Grow in dependence of God

• Have your heart go through the purification process.

We have to remember that in everything there’s a process. There was a process of you becoming who you are today. Imagine you were where you are today 2,5 or10 years ago. Would you have been prepared? What makes you think it’ll be any different in the Kingdom of God? God is not a genie. He is looking for friends. People who won’t leave Him when they finally receive what they’ve been asking from Him. As much as the Lord delights in giving good gifts- He delights even more in growing in relationship with His people. God loves His people too much and is too much of a jealous God to just stop at gift giving.

No my friend, He is the highest spiritual being who has feelings, desires, thoughts, characteristics that He wants to share with us. The God of this universe wants you.

So before you write off the season of waiting in which you find yourself in- ask yourself ‘what is God trying to do in and through me?’. Abba sees your pain, frustrations, struggles and tears. Nothing goes unseen by Him. However, I encourage you to ask Him to help you see things from his perspective. He is not done with you yet. He has you on a journey- trust him sweetheart!. Hold on tight for He will not let you down.

Always remember; if you only see yourself in the picture, you’ll miss out on the bigger picture.

-Esther x

Closing scriptures

Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

-Hebrews 12:1-2

So let us not grow tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we do not give up.

-Galatians 6:9.