Is Waiting Empty or Purposeful? Discovering God’s Work in the In-Between
Waiting. We all experience it. Whether it’s waiting for an answered prayer, a breakthrough, or just clarity on what’s next, it’s easy to feel like we’re stuck in a holding pattern. I know I’ve been there—wondering if God is listening, questioning if this time is wasted. But what if waiting isn’t just empty space? What if it’s an intentional part of our journey—one where God is doing some of His most important work?
Waiting Refines Your Faith
Waiting has a way of testing and refining our faith like nothing else. It’s in these seasons that we’re invited to trust in God’s promises, even when we can’t see the full picture.
Peter 1:7 says, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold.” That verse hits differently when you’re in the thick of it, doesn’t it? God isn’t testing us to see if we’re good enough—He’s shaping us, strengthening us, making us more like Him.
I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that taking matters into my own hands often leads to regret. But when I surrender to God’s timing, I find peace. He is always working, even when I don’t understand His plan.
God is Building Your Endurance
Waiting isn’t passive—it’s preparation. Romans 5:3-4 reminds us, “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Have you ever heard the story of the bamboo tree? A man watered and cared for a bamboo seed for years without seeing a single sprout. But in the fifth year, the tree suddenly shot up 90 feet in just six weeks! The truth? The bamboo had been growing all along—its roots were developing underground, creating a strong foundation for rapid growth.
Sometimes, we don’t see the work God is doing beneath the surface, but He is strengthening our foundation, preparing us for the moment when everything will come together.
Waiting Reveals God’s Faithfulness
It’s easy to forget God’s faithfulness in the waiting, but those long seasons are often where we see Him move in ways we never expected. Deuteronomy 7:9 tells us, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
Think about Abraham and Sarah. God promised them a son, but after years of waiting, they took matters into their own hands. Even then, God remained faithful, fulfilling His promise in His perfect time.
God’s timing may not match ours, but it is always right. Even when we don’t see immediate results, He is still at work.
Your Purpose Unfolds in Waiting
Sometimes, we get so caught up in waiting for what’s next that we miss what God is doing right now. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Waiting isn’t a detour—it’s often a necessary part of the journey. Like the bamboo tree growing underground, our purpose is being shaped in the unseen moments. The waiting season may not make sense now, but one day, you’ll look back and see how God was orchestrating every step.
Waiting is Not a Passive Pause
We often think of waiting as sitting around, hoping something will happen. But what if waiting was meant to be active? Romans 5:3-5 encourages us to embrace waiting as a process: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Think about an airport. People used to complain about the long wait for their baggage. Instead of speeding up the process, the airport changed the layout so passengers had to walk further to claim their bags. The result? Fewer complaints. Why? Because occupied time feels different than unoccupied time.
Waiting on God isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about drawing near to Him. It’s about praying, worshiping, and growing. We can’t rush His timing, but we can remain faithful in the in-between.
Conclusion
Waiting is hard. But it’s never wasted. When we shift our perspective, we realize that God is working in the waiting—refining us, strengthening us, and preparing us for what’s ahead. So, if you’re in a season of waiting, take heart. God is not absent. He is moving, shaping, and setting the stage for something greater than you can imagine.
Trust Him. The harvest will come in His perfect time.