It can wait.
On Tuesday, I watched this video from AT&T on using cell phones while driving. It’s worth your 3:52. Their ad campaign, “It Can Wait” got my attention for more reasons than the obvious one. I think I identified more with the feeling of, “It canNOT wait.” *{It} being really ANYTHING in life, sometimes including text messages. I mean, we live in a world of instant gratification. From microwaves to social media to cell phones – we are not familiar with delayed gratification. I think about my own internal dialogue throughout the day,
- “What lane will have the least amount of traffic so I can get to my destination fastest?”
- “What cashier will work the quickest to get me out of Target first?”
- “Which workout will I do that takes the least amount of time?”
But what if God created intentional times of waiting? What if He actually pre-planned those moments of stillness, rest, and delay? What if our unexpected extra 3 minutes on the road were meant to put us beside a different person in the restaurant who needs Him? What if the Target cashier we chose is new and needing His encouragement? What if our longer run is where He’s waiting to tell us an answer we can’t hear over Shaun T’s voice?
But then, there’s the bigger question. What if we are called to wait on those bigger moments in life and not the couple minutes going from place to place? What if our delay is while waiting for a spouse to come into our life or the healing of a loved one or the job with benefits or the pregnancy test to be positive or a best friend to come to Jesus or a spouse to stop drinking?
In the last two months, I’ve had my own personal time of waiting. I resigned from a job without another one in the works. I took a risk. I made a leap because I knew God had more for me wherever He was leading. I had no idea this jump would be met with the opportunity to embrace a season of learning to be patient. And enjoy the delay. Wouldn’t you know I found it harder to be still than to go to work each day? Over the course of this summer, I’ve taken a few notes on my own delayed gratification and how I feel God has lead me to steward this time. Have I done this perfectly? Nope, but I sure am taking Him up on the opportunity to glean from the experience.
1. Ask God what His purpose is in the waiting. It took me a little too long to ask this question, but once I heard Him say to focus on my family, friends, and my writing, I was set. I had His vision for what the next indefinite amount of time would look like.
2. Trust Him in that place of uncertainty and restlessness. Then, move forward. After He tells you, ya gotta trust Him and take a step forward! For me, I heard Him say “family” and then got a text saying my grandmother would be starting chemotherapy in the next couple weeks. I talk about her chemo appointment in this previous post. I took advantage of the open space to go back home and spend time with my grandma. What opportunity has God opened for you to take advantage of in your own season of waiting?
3. Have faith even when the timeline is longer than you expected. His “delay” is not always indicative of an ultimate answer. For this situation specifically, I got antsy about Week #3. I was already asking for my next step and questioning His promise of provision. “Would I get that dream job I wanted? Would I have to take a something in the meantime? Are our finances okay? Should I make a Plan B” God’s answer? “Be obedient to our last conversation about your focus being on family, friends, and writing. I’m working for you behind the scenes.”
4. Enjoy every chapter – even the waiting! Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, soak it up. Although I’m ashamed to admit it took me too long to learn how to relax and embrace summer vacation, rest and relaxation, we are now happily gallivanting from place to place on our Fairfax Fun Bucket List of cool spots to take toddlers! It’s a process, but I’ve learned how to be content in the right now instead of reaching too quickly for the next step.
There is purpose in your waiting! Look around. His answers are surrounding you. {It} can wait.
**And if you are wondering about my personal waiting…I got the job I wanted and start shortly! His faithfulness never fails. Feel free to share your own story about waiting. I’d love to hear!