Finding Purpose in Life's Waiting Places

So, yesterday I mentioned I was reminded that God’ s timing is perfect. And while I have to agree, it’s the time before that “perfect timing” that is the most difficult. I know it is for me. Think about when you aren’t where you used to be but not yet where you want to be. And you find yourself in a Waiting Place. You may have heard it said, “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.” But what happens when the journey has you stalled? I mean, right? There is always a process between a promise from God and the fulfillment of that promise. Sometimes the process is short, and other times it’s so long that you may wonder if you heard God correctly in the first place. It can be easy to get frustrated, angry, and restless in that in-between time. It can be easy to be discontent, to grumble, and complain, and to be so obsessed with what’s next that you can’t enjoy what’s right now. But the Waiting Place doesn’t have to be depressing and empty, filled with longing for what’s next. It can be a wonderful place of growth and reflection. I’ve told this story before, but I got some great advice when I was learning to become a pilot. I was obsessed with wanting to solo and get my ticket as fast as possible. It seemed like everything was in my way. Weather, mechanical failures and work. I was in the “pilot waiting room”. But one of the instructors told me, “just relax and fly, the rest will just happen...”. You know what, that’s exactly what happened. Once I stopped worrying about the finish line and focused on the process and let God have it, it all began to fall into place exactly how it was supposed to. Listen, the good news is that the waiting place brings an opportunity, not necessarily to change your circumstances, but to allow yourself to be changed through the process.“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”Psalm 27:13-14 Even when you aren’t where you want to be, you can still embrace the place where you are, and you can discover all of the beautiful things to be found in the waiting.Have a great weekend. Be Nice. Grace Wins.