Waiting with Faith

     Have you ever felt like you're just going through the motions of life, grinding away day after day without a real sense of purpose? Many of us fall into this trap, believing that our existence is simply about surviving until we die. But what if there's something more? What if you were created for a greater purpose?

     The truth is, you are not a mistake. You were fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together in your mother's womb with intention and design. God has imparted a bit of who He is into each one of us, and He did so with purpose. He wants you to express that divine spark here on earth through your unique life journey.

     That's the story of Joshua. He knew what his purpose was, to lead the Israelites into the promised land, and even though he had to wait 40 years to see it happen, he never gave up until it was accomplished.  Joshua's unwavering faith stands as an example throughout generations. Unlike many others who gave up or tried alternative solutions, Joshua never wavered from what God had told him. He was patient enough to wait for an entire generation to pass before fulfilling his calling.

     This brings us to an important distinction: there are two kinds of waiting. There's waiting with faith, and waiting without faith. Joshua waited with faith, trusting that God would fulfill His promises even when circumstances seemed dire. The Israelites, on the other hand, waited without faith. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt and His provision in the wilderness, they couldn't trust Him to deliver the Promised Land into their hands.

     How often do we fall into the trap of waiting without faith? We've been trained to think we just have to endure this life to experience what's next. We don't have faith that God will fulfill His Word in us in this life, so we write off our earthly existence as miserable and meaningless. But this mindset is garbage! God wants to do something in your life now. You were born into your generation because God has something He wants to reveal to the world about who He is through you.

     As believers, we've all inherited a calling as followers of Jesus Christ. We are ambassadors for God's kingdom on earth. Wherever we step, the kingdom of God comes. We are meant to share the good news. Not as a sales pitch, but as a genuine expression of the goodness God has done in our lives. We are disciple-makers, pouring into others what God has poured into us. We are called to live by loving the Lord and His will, reflecting God's divinity to a world in desperate need of His light. But here's the challenge: there's often a significant gap between receiving our calling and seeing its fulfillment.

     How do we wait on the Lord without losing hope in the in-between?

     First, don't get ahead of God. Abide in His teaching, letting Him dictate your journey rather than trying to force things to happen in your own timing or way. Remember the cautionary tale of Abraham and Hagar? They got ahead of God's plan and it only led to complications.

     Second, know that good things are the fruit of waiting on the Lord. As Lamentations 3:25-26 reminds us, "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." In our noisy, distracted world, learning to wait quietly on God is a powerful spiritual discipline that positions us to receive His blessings.

     Third, write down the vision God has given you. The prophet Habakkuk was instructed to "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it" (Habakkuk 2:2). There's power in recording what God speaks to you, whether through prayer, dreams, or prophetic words. It serves as a reminder and encouragement when the waiting feels long.

     Finally, don't settle for lesser things. Don't get so caught up in the day-to-day grind that you forget your purpose. Keep that divine calling at the forefront of your mind and heart. Like Joshua, who never settled for anything less than God's full promise, we too should adopt the mindset of "It's God or nothing."

     Your journey with God is unique, and He wants to show His glory even through your most challenging experiences. There's a reason He has you here on earth right now. You were created for such a time as this, to reveal something about who God is to the world around you.

     So, how long will you wait? Or perhaps a better question: how long will you oscillate between two worlds? Please understand that the mundane existence of just getting by and the vibrant life of purpose God are both calling to you? Which will you choose? I believe it's time to step into your divine calling with confidence, understanding where you're going and why you're here.

     Don't let this moment pass you by. This is a sacred and holy invitation to receive what God wants to do in your life. Tear down the lies that say you're too far gone, too broken, or too sinful for God to use. Embrace the truth that you have a purpose in Jesus and it doesn't have to be vague, it's something you can fulfill and bring to the world around you right now.

     As you reflect on these truths, ask yourself: What has God put on my heart? What burdens or passions has He given me? How can I start living out my divine purpose today, even in the midst of waiting? Remember, good things are coming if you wait on the Lord with faith and expectation. Your calling is worth the wait, and God is faithful to bring it to pass in His perfect timing.