If You Are Waiting For A Sign, This Is It

“At the right time, I, the LORD, will make it happen.”
Isaiah 60:22 NLT

As human beings, we hold dreams and aspirations dear to our hearts. Though it is not part of our current reality, we eagerly await when the opportunity presents itself. Suddenly, life goes by, but those prayers have yet to be answered. Comparison sinks in and you wonder if Christ Jesus has forgotten about you. Waiting is not everyone’s favorite but it is a necessary part of life. Whether it’s a job opportunity, a marriage, or a baby, everything in life requires a waiting period. 

We accept waiting when it fits right into our timeline. Waiting is sometimes not the issue. The problem is when it extends beyond what we deem acceptable. If it does, we start feeling like a failure or anxious that we are running out of time in life. For example, pregnant women anticipate a nine-month wait to give birth, and college students expect to spend four years on their educational journey. These are considered the norm. However, if a baby lingers in the womb, mothers start giving eviction notices to their little bun like, “You’ve had your nine months of free rent, time to get out!” and if a student’s graduation takes longer, they begin to compare themselves to their peers and itching to wrap up their schooling.

There are multiple reasons as to why God can make us wait:

• It’s not time yet
  • That seems very broad but sometimes it is true and very simple. We all know the famous verse in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that says “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.” If a wedding is scheduled to happen seven months from now, I cannot make it happen tomorrow just because I want to. It is not time yet, therefore, I need to wait for that appointed time.
• God wants the glory out of your situation.
  • In some cases, if God were to answer your prayers right here and there, pride would come into your heart. You would start to think that your miracles were of your own, that you earn everything out of your own flesh. How do you think God would feel? Isaiah 42:8 says “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” It shall never be about you, not your power, not your fame, nothing. We need to give the glory to God for the many things that He has done in our lives.
• You are not ready for it.
  • If God were to give you what you prayed for at the exact time you asked, you would not know how to handle that blessing. You would not steward it well, hence destroying the very thing that you have prayed for. 
• A time of testing
  • God may be testing you. Do you trust Him? Are you hearing his voice? Better yet, do you understand what his silence means in this season of your life? Just because he’s silent does not mean a response. God’s silence does not equate to his approval. When he is silent, wait for him.

God is not in a hurry. We are. We desire that instant gratification. Society has certain norms that we live by, but the Lord has designed us uniquely for a purpose that he only can bring to life if we align with his will. God does not use time as we humans do. Psalms 90:4 tells us “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” God sees our past, he sees our present and sees our future. He dwells outside of our physical world, hence his timelessness. He sees everything. So, when God gives you a vision, he is not telling you to start immediately. He told you so you can have faith. God will allow your circumstances to shift you to a place where He called you if only you trust in him.

Isaiah 40:31 tells us “Those who qavah upon the Lord will renew their strength.” Qavah is the Hebrew translation of waiting actively with anticipation, hopefully watching for God to act. As you are waiting, God will give you the strength to persevere because he is not done with you or the situation. It is vital that you cultivate patience in that season. Brethren, do not be foolish in the waiting season. Do not take matters into your own hands, because you are gonna delay your blessing or you might just miss it in general. If you miss it, remember that God can fulfill that promise through your offspring. Don’t be stupid. If you can’t steward your gift, God is powerful enough to skip a generation, because his word will never fail. If he has spoken it, then it must come to pass. His word will never fail. 

How do we wait upon the Lord? Waiting can be so tiring but I believe that your heart posture is what matters most. Realize that you are not the owner of your life. God created human life in those six beautiful days, so he knows how to do life. So rest assured that he knows what is best for you and that he will never harm you. All you have to do is trust him and enjoy the season that you are in. With all that is being said, here is an acronym summarization of what and how to wait:

• While you wait, you Worship.
  • God is worthy of all the praise, honor, and glory. God is still God no matter your circumstances. Worship brings our focus back to God. It redirects our attention back to the One who created life, not to ourselves or the issues of life. Worship is your weapon, it wins wars. I know we might grow weary by comparing our seasons and promises to someone else, but don’t. The appointed time set by God is also an opportune time for the enemy to distract you and make you weary. Whenever the devil tries to plant lies in your head, worship. Whenever he wants to make you worry and anxious, worship. It will confuse him. Remain focused.
• While you wait, you Anticipate.
  • When you anticipate, you are setting your faith in motion. God made a promise specifically to you, so His words will never come back empty. Weeping may endure in the night, but joy shall surely come in the morning. God purposely instructs us in Habakkuk 2:3, “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” Your breakthrough is coming. “God, I’m not going to give up just because I don’t see it yet.” Just because it’s not happening in the physical, doesn’t mean it’s not happening in the spiritual. 
• While you wait, you Invest.
  • Invest in your relationship with God. Spend time with him by meditating on his words. Like any human relationship, quality time and attention are needed. It is the same with God. How will you learn how to listen to His voice if you are not spending time in the Word and in prayer? In those times of waiting, build that firm foundation. When trouble comes, you will not be swept away because you are rooted deeply in him. Be in the presence of God, it has everything that you will ever need. While doing so, you are building your character and your faith to prepare and receive your long-awaited blessing. I would also recommend being vulnerable with God because at the end of the day, he is your father and he cares deeply about you. He knows that you are discouraged in the waiting process so be honest with him about that. Ask Him for his peace and strength to carry you through.
• While you wait, you Trust.
  • Proverbs 3: 5-6 says “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” When you trust in God, you have faith. You have faith that he will move mountains. You have faith that he will split the sea open. You have faith that he will turn that situation. You have to come to a point where you say “Lord, until you are ready to move me in that new season, I will continue to be faithful where you meet me.”

As we hold on dearly to the promises of God, let’s pray with the authority that he has graced us with: 

Heavenly Father,

Truly, I am tired of waiting, but Lord, I am learning to trust you. I know that you will never leave nor forsake me, so Lord, help me trust in your will for my life. You have great things in store for me that I could never imagine. In this season, teach me how to know you more, and renew my mind every day to see your goodness. I pray to never forget the things you have accomplished in my life Help me see how faithful you are. You are a man that shall not lie. What you say, you will fulfill. Help me remember the visions and promises you have inscribed in my heart. Equip in this season so I can steward the blessings you are about to pour into my life. Thank you Jesus for your grace and strength during this season. In Jesus’ mighty name, I pray.

Amen

With love,

Carmaïssa