allume

real light living

The In-Between…What to do while you wait.

By

I hear my 3 year old through whimpers and whines, “I no like waiting. Waiting is hard.”

“I know,” I sigh.

It is hard for a toddler, and it’s hard for us adults. But waiting is inevitable, isn’t it?

We are waiting for an answer to prayer.
We are waiting for provision.
We are waiting for God to promote us.
We are waiting for our dreams to come to life, or a life to come to us.

While we wait, we still journey. Life goes on, and we must go on. We are in-between where we were and where we want to be, and it’s how we journey that’s most important. And in that journey, my friend, is where God does His best work in us. So what are we to do while we we wait? This…

The In-Between...What to do while you wait. #Allume blog

(Click here to follow Allume on Pinterest)

Let God have His way in you. Tweet this?

Our wait is the time that our selfishness is being worked out of us, as the motives of our hearts are being refined. It’s where the prayers we prayed of “Less of me and more of You, God,” are being answered, and our faith is being approved. There are trials while we wait, and sometimes the wait is the trial.

Sadly, many times the wait is laced with the darkness of disappointments. I often think of Joseph in Egypt. His dark abyss was a prison, yet God brought him from the prison to Pharaoh’s palace, in one day, so he could help save a nation. (Gen 41) God has called us and knows our end from our beginning. His timing is perfect. Perhaps, what we consider a disappointment is a divine-appointment, a set up for the greatness God has for us.

Your faith approved is worth more than gold, friend. “…for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, so that the genuineness of your faith may be tested, your faith which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire.” (1 Pet 1:6-7 AMP)

Embrace the season with faithfulness. Tweet this?

As we are walking out our days, and working diligently to pursue our dreams we get caught in the in-between tension in our hearts. While we are living for the “future-us,” we are called be faithful as the “present-us,” and to  our spouses, our children, family, friends, readers we already have. Unbeknownst to us, we can live subtly devaluing our opportunities and those around, not appreciating the significance they bring to our life in this moment. And the truth of it is, the present moment is all we really have.

When we are anxious for the next step, we may despair over where we are instead of yielding to the time of waiting for all it’s wondrous clouds by day and fire by night God provides for the journey. It’s a balance, isn’t it, like a holy equilibrium? May God find us with genuine gratitude and praise for what the day brings, while still having faith and hope for what He may have for tomorrow.

“Give yourself permission to enjoy fully the things you have, the person you are, and the life you are currently living while continuing to harbor the dreams that keep you growing and stretching into the future.” — Priscilla Shirer

Focus on honoring God by offering your gifts, skills, talents and abilities to the task at hand in this moment for His glory. Your faithfulness to Him is proved in the monotony. Be completely available for Jesus. You are the image of God right where you are.

Make God the prize you are waiting for. Tweet this?

Times of waiting can bring uncertainty and doubt, but these times are invaluable ones in the valley where we draw near to God and He draws near to us, and where God becomes our everything, again.

“God births dreams in us and the allows the desire to move us; it is in the pursuit of our dreams that we encounter tragedy and meet the deeper desires that only loss and heartache can reveal. What deeper desire of our beings does God call us to discover? It is no other love and no other one but Him.” — Dan B. Allender

When you desire God more, hunger and thirst after Him more, delight in Him with all of your being, until there is nothing you want more than God. When you are able to say with all your heart, with complete sincerity, and utter surrender, “It doesn’t matter if I never see what my heart longs for, because there is nothing I want more than You. You are my portion, Lord, and You are all I need.” Then you will see, when you least expect it, God will bring the very thing your heart desires into your life.

My prayer for you.

I pray as you go through the place you rather not be on the way to the place your heart is already connected to, walk closely with Him, not ahead or behind, but with Him hearing His Voice and thoughts about where you are. He’s with you now in the journey, not at the destination — changing you from glory to glory. “Faithful is He Who is calling you, and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it.” (1 Thess 5:24 AMP)

Trusting Him,

Michele-Lyn

living a life surrendered

Will you share this post with someone who needs encouragement in the in-between? And will you share in comments, what is hardest about the time of waiting?

Comments

  1. Amazing words Michele! This is right where I am right now. And I just discovered (this morning actually) that I can still serve Him in the here & now. We have the privilege of serving our great God now. Right where we are. And this is yet another reason for us to be thankful. Beautiful post!

    • Sarah,

      It’s right where I am, too. And I love what you said, “I can still serve Him in the here and now.” Yes. Now. He is looking for our faithfulness where we are now, isn’t He? Thank you for you encouragement, friend. 🙂

  4. Loved this. As you know, I’m walking this road in many ways. And this? “Our wait is the time that our selfishness is being worked out of us, as the motives of our hearts are being refined. It’s where the prayers we prayed of “Less of me and more of You, God,”are being answered, and our faith is being approved.” SO very true. I’m learning this, and it’s a hard process but I can honestly say I’m thankful for it…I’m actually getting to the point that I WANT the wait, because I want the refining so that the “me” I don’t realize is there can be worked out. I’d also rather have God’s timing, not mine. Mine never goes well 😉 More of Jesus. Need Him so much!

    • Ashlie,

      You said it so perfectly. “It’s a hard process but I can honestly say I’m thankful for it.” I believe when we understand there is purpose in the wait, that we can lean into it more easily, and gain all that God would have us to in that season. He’s looking at us on the inside, isn’t He. That’s where His masterful hands do His best work. 🙂 I’m thankful for your thoughts, and you’ve encouraged me here today! Love!

    • I completely agree. After all I’ve seen in my life of how God refined me in the wait to move to a new state and meet my boyfriend/future husband (the only boyfriend I’ve ever had…you talk about worth the wait, I was 28 before God brought him into my life; I’m 30 now), I have had the nerve to say, “God, take as long as You need to, as long as I need to, to make me ready for what you have planned. I apologize for my impatience but I will try my best to remember you are preparing me for your very best.”

  5. Powerful! I was in a waiting stage for 3 years. I learned to be faithful where I was while waiting. During the wait I believe God purifies our heart so when our dream/desire occurs we don’t worship it but continue to worship God. Because I waited I am amazed at God daily of how He brought the dream to past.
    Your words are vivid!

    • Denetta,

      Yes, yes. He purifies us, our hearts and our desires. Anything our heart desires more is an idol, and time of waiting has a way of revealing those in our life, doesn’t it? He is faithful! And so good! I praise God with you and rejoice that you were able to see His promise fulfilled in your life.

  6. Times of waiting can bring uncertainty and doubt, but these times are invaluable ones in the valley where we draw near to God and He draws near to us, and where God becomes our everything, again.
    Yes…times of waiting is where God ….strips us….dismantles us ….our thinking….our faith….and rebuilds us back with stronger faith….stronger love for Him and others…
    This is much like transitions in birth….the strongest pains come right before new birth….some times alls we can do is breath….deep cleansing breaths…..He is truly faithful…..blessing and grace ~

    • Ro,

      Strips us and then rebuilds us back stronger! Yes, I believe this. The de-mantling is a painful work, but necessary one in the transformation process. And I love the verse that says He is faithful to complete the work He began in us — transforming us into His image.

      It’s so good to see you, here, friend. <3

  8. Thank you for this. I am feeling very much in-between lately. God is helping me identify and claim the passion He has given me and as I search for His purpose and direction to go with my passion, I find myself wandering in the desert looking for a sign. Pastor Andy Stanley talked a few months ago about the vast amount of time that spans between the Old Testament and the New Testament and how so many felt God was silent and had abandoned them. Instead, He was working behind the scenes to pave the road for Christ’s birth and mission. This is evident in history (I wish I could remember everything he said, but it had to do with the languages becoming more universal so the Word could spread further and the merchant trails growing longer so the news could get out faster and etc.).

    Ever since then, I have tried to see this in-between time for me as God working behind the scenes, paving the way for the next part of my story/journey. I wait with abated breath for what lies ahead because I know whatever it is, it will be amazing, but at the same time, I try to focus on the present. I listened to a message by Pastor Lou Giglio called “Jesus is Enough for Today” (it’s on the Passion City Podcast for anyone who’s interested) and he talked about how we only have today. Jesus is enough for today. I am a worrier but lately I am trying to focus on one day a time and trusting God will meet my needs today. That’s all I can do in the meanwhile. I’ve seen God do amazing things in my life and I know, no matter how impatient I am right now, there are more amazing things on the way. 🙂
    Amy
    http://notquitearunner.blogspot.com

  9. being impatient as I am, I have learned repeatedly the hard value of waiting, and serving God in the waiting. It’s not usually easy, but ALWAYS worth it. Thank you for this encouraging reminder to rest in that space. ((hugs)) this is such a good post.

    • Kris,

      Ah, the waiting is the Refiner’s fire, so often, isn’t it? And you, impatient? I’ve seen you as an example of faithful obedience in following God and what He has for you. So, you share your journey with us and what you learn along the way and in the wait. And for that, we are blessed. <3

  10. Love this Michele. Makes me think of the Dr Seuss book, “Oh the places you’ll go” and the waiting place where “everyone is just waiting.” But I think that honestly, sometimes that waiting place is so because the fact is that we’re waiting for what we think we want…not what we even think that God wants. I love in Seuss how it says “NO! THat’s not for you! Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing.” And I agree…when the waiting we’re doing is really more just listening and intimacy with the Lord…suddenly we hear that music…the sweet sounds of His voice.

    • Logan,

      You made me laugh with the Dr. Seuss! I love it! And what wise words. 🙂 And I think you are right about “what we think we want.” There are so many more things to share about while we are waiting. I was already way over my 600 word count. Almost 1000 eek! But waiting by faith and walking by faith — this is the essence of the Christian life, isn’t it? He is faithful to draw near. The Creator of all the universe is faithful to draw near to us. Can you believe it?

  11. I think hardest in the waiting is the not knowing…even though I KNOW God is faithful. It is rare but always so beautiful when I want Jesus alone instead of what He can deliver.

    • Elise,

      Yes. This… it’s “so beautiful when I want Jesus alone instead of what He can deliver.” He’s faithful to draw our wandering eyes away from those things that distract us from our most beautiful and most important call, and that’s to know Him and be known by Him. By grace, friend. All by grace.

  12. Waiting is our lot here on earth, isn’t it? Until we cross the finish line we await heaven. We groan for it. I think of Joseph’s ‘one day’ that you mentioned. And then he continued to wait even in the ‘pinacle’ of his faith walk. He was awaiting the fulfillment of promises and the release from his perishable body.

    I see waiting as the fuel to hope and expectation. {as well as the refiner of our flesh as you mentioned!} 🙂

  13. Pure grace and wisdom in these words…that the waiting has a purpose, that our character is being made to be more like Him as we wait, that His plan is best, and the resting in Him is purposeful. Now, this day, I’m giving thanks for the in-between. Thank you for being a vessel of Christ, bringing hope. With much love for you! xoxo

  14. Oh how your words ministered to my heart this morning!!! I have entered into the “in-between” time” and it is definitely a refining time and a time of pressing into the promises God has planted along our path. I think I will need to read your words more than once as I travel this road to remind myself to yield fully to the God of in-between! Thank you for such encouragement:)

  16. “So that the genuineness of your faith may be tested.” <– yes, this.

    He's broken me in the waiting and put me together in His ways, delivering me from impatience and redeeming a willing spirit in me. I see this and embrace it and it had to happen by way of my trusting Him. {deep exhale} God's love for me is so evident and the peace He's given me is such a remarkable gift, I can truly say I need and hunger for nothing else than to rest in Him.

    (reading from my pocket app . . . after the long, hard journey of surrender, which is a gift because I don't see this as a "how to" or "do this" like I would have in times past, amd instead I can say "yes. YES!" and, Amen!

    {hugs}, sweet ML 😉

Categories

Archives

Google+