Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
I must admit I struggle to wait for anything. It only takes waiting in a queue to get me thinking of everything on my to do list for the day – and I’m usually then already a few items down the list thinking of what I need to do next.. But recently I’ve come to realise that while it’s good to think ahead, sometimes it’s possible to miss out on the here and now in always looking to what is the next on the list. We live in an at times impatient 21st century context – we expect instant replies, fast food, and same-day delivery. Yet in God’s economy, waiting is not wasted time — it’s often part of the liminal space where we are formed in vocation most deeply. Scripture reminds us that waiting is not passive. It’s an active season where God works behind the scenes, preparing us and aligning circumstances in His perfect timing. And whilst waiting can be hard, it’s essential in pilgrimage of faith and there are ways that we can wait well.
At the essence of the process of waiting is patience – and patience is more than putting up with delay — it’s trusting God’s timing over our own. In a culture of hurry, patience is in contrast a process spiritual discipline, a fruit of the Spirit. Waiting expectantly means watching for signs of God’s hand at work and living in hopeful anticipation that He will fulfil His promises. Faithful waiting is active obedience. It means continuing to serve, love, and live according to God’s will, even when we don’t see immediate results.
I’ve also found it really helpful to remember in moments of waiting that the daily discipline of Christian pilgrimage is not a sprint — it’s a long journey requiring endurance. Waiting can feel long and challenging, but at the centre of that we can know God’s timing is perfect, His plans are sure, and His promises never fail.
Scripture quotation taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®
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