It’s Day 47 of distancing and isolating here in Iowa during this pandemic. Wow, 47 days of waiting, wondering, watching, and wishing it was all behind us. Each evening I journal the highlights of the day, and as I do, I find a similar theme. I’m caught in the waiting. Maybe you are, too.
Dictionary.com defines waiting as: a period of pause, interval, or delay. This is definitely a season of pause and delay, isn’t it?! I believe one of the many things we have in common during this season is this: we’re all waiting for something.
We are in a season of waiting.
We are waiting for the curve to flatten.
Waiting for this pandemic to lessen its grip on the world.
Waiting for researchers to find a COVID-19 vaccine.
We’re waiting for our test results to return.
Waiting for social distancing guidelines to be lessened.
Waiting for life to “return to normal.” Whatever normal might be.
Some of us are waiting for healing from this virus, for ourselves or for our loved ones.
Some of us are waiting for our stimulus checks.
And some of us are waiting to return to work.
Friend, for what are you waiting in this season?
I’m not the example to follow in the waiting.
In fact, most of the time stink at it. I’m terrible at waiting. I have a tendency to try to rush things along. To speed things up according to my plan and schedule. I prefer to get things done and cross them off my list, thank you very much. And quite honestly, my speed is more microwave than crock pot. I could use some lessons from my crock pot. But, that’s another blog post for a different day.
However, like many of us, I’ve been forced during this season to slow down, to pause, and to embrace the waiting. Whether I’ve wanted to or not. (Nope, didn’t want to.) I realize through these 47 days, surprisingly, the waiting has been a good thing for me. Even though it’s been uncomfortable and challenging, the waiting has actually been a time of renewing, refocusing, and refining.
One definition of waiting I found in Mirriam-Webster gives us a fresh perspective of waiting: to look forward expectantly. Maybe this season of waiting doesn’t necessarily have to carry a heavy, negative tone with it, like we’re waiting for it to be over. Maybe, quite possibly, the waiting can be more of a season of expectation. Of hope. Of renewed joy. We’re waiting for what’s to come.
Because in the waiting, God is working.
This truth gives us every reason to look forward expectantly! To look forward in hope! To find renewed joy! How do I know? I dug around in scripture this morning, and found these encouraging, life-giving, look-forward-expectantly filled verses:
For since the world began no one has seen or heard of such a God as ours, who works for those who wait for him!
Isaiah 64:4 TLB
For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13 AMP
God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks.
Lamentations 3:25 MSG
Jesus answered his critics by saying, “Everyday my Father is at work, and I will be too!”
John 5:17 TPT
Yes, God is at work while we wait.
He’s working in the world, in us, and in our unique situations. Even if it may seem God has stopped working, He hasn’t. And get this: He won’t quit, He won’t leave us in this mess, and He is bringing good in and from this season of waiting. God is faithful and we can trust Him while we wait. This gives us every reason to look forward expectantly!
We may not be able to see it now, but we will. We may not see God actively at work right this very moment, but we will. Just because we can see it doesn’t mean He’s not working behind the scenes. We can take Him at His word. God does what He says He’s going to do.
We’ll chat in my next post more about this season of waiting. Until then, how are you encouraged in this time of waiting? What good are you seeing from it? With what might you be struggling? I’m here and I care, friend.
Continue to look forward, continue to look up, and continue to do your part. Thank you for making a difference in the waiting. Thank you for being here. You are loved!
Much love to you!
I love that last definition and I want to be expectantly looking forward to the good that’s coming out of this most challenging time! Such a good word Julie!
Cindy, I’m looking forward to the good, too! There’s so much bad right now, but God is in this. That truth we can trust! Thank you for being here, Cindy!