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God has been saying the same word over and over my entire life. 

| W . A . I . T |

Seriously. My entire life. No joke.

Wait to go on a mission trip...

Wait to date...

Wait to get money...

Wait to get answered prayers...
Wait...
Wait...
Wait...

 

I waited. A lot. And if you know me, you know that  I am not a patient person. 

But I have learned a lot in the time I have waited. 

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Missions

I was called to missions when I was entering freshmen year. I was scared and didn't know what to do. There wasn't an opportunity yet, but I knew what God wanted. After I waited two years, I went on a trip that changed my life. Now two years later I am heading up a team to go to Nicaragua. I know it's my calling. God made me wait but during that time He was preparing me. I spent that time getting closer to God. I prayed. I went on local missions. God was building me up. Reminds me of David who was a shepherd. His job was to spend days with the sheep fighting off wolves and other animals wanting to attack them. All he had was a staff. Do you not think God was preparing him? Who but God knew that he would have to one day stand against Goliath? No one. God knew and He knew what was needed. I am pretty sure David sat around asking God why. Asking God to give him something better. Just imagine all the physical labor David endured just to one day stand before the biggest guy around and take him out with a single stone! God prepares us even when we don't know it. Even when He tells us to wait.

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Dating

I waited to date. 18 years, people. If I can wait, trust me- you can too.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (-Proverbs 4:23) 

He calls us to protect ourselves. God called me to stand out. My life verse, Romans 12:2, is a constant reminder to not be of the world. Waiting to date was something that God laid on my heart. I knew I didn't want to mess up any future relationship by dating around while I was young. It is hard. I know. I am not perfect nor am I emotionless. I feel things but I had God in mind. Strict parents were a bonus too. Haha. I knew that if I obeyed God, He would prepare someone for me. Someone that He handpicked and knew would be perfect. Now am I saying I am ready to be married and settle down? No, not necessarily. I am saying that waiting isn't as bad as you think. After all that waiting, what you get is so much better. You don't get heartbreaks and tears. You get joy and happiness. God prepares us during our time of wait. Imagine your future spouse right now. What if they are dating person after person? Doesn't settle well with you does it? Don't do that to them either. God wants you to wait. He wants you to find love in Him before you try to find love in some man or woman. Waiting isn't as bad as you think. ;)

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Money

God likes to play with me in a sense. He knows that I am impatient so He tests me. You can read in my last post how I was doubting getting money for my trip and He came through just when it was needed. It's all in His timing. I've learned that with money, if you do what He demands of us, than He will bless us. God asks that we give back a tithe. A tithe is 10%. That's barely anything. God blesses you and then asks for a little back. As I learned more and more about tithing I started tithing. The blessings that poured from it was overwhelming. It's not like money is going to fall out of the sky. But my relationship with Christ became more personal. My needs were met. It's amazing what obeying God can do! haha. While I'm waiting, I have learned to put my trust 100% in God.

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Prayers

God knows all. Can we agree on that? Because He knows all, we can surrender our trust and belief over to Him. We are an asking generation. We have grown accustomed to "What's it hurt to ask?" Now while this can apply to a lot of things, God isn't one of them. How many times do you find your self begging and negotiating with God? You know what I am talking about. "God let me pass this test and I promise I will study an hour every night for the rest of my life!" or "God, please let this be a warning. You know I don't have the extra cash this week for a ticket. I promise I will put an extra $5 in the basket on Sunday!" Sound familiar? We have grown used to just asking asking asking and then being let down when we feel God isn't listening. Have you ever thought of this? God knows all. Therefore, He knows what is best for us. He knows what we need and when we need it. What if that cop pulling you over actually preventing you from a head on collision 5 minutes down the road? God has YOU in mind when it comes to deciding things for you. God's timing is a complicated thing most of us don't get. We want our prayers answered and we want them now! That's not how we are meant to live our lives. We are meant to trust God. Pray to Him. About everything. But we also need to be willing to sit back and say "God, you got this."

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Now while waiting is a scary word these days, sometimes you can find the most peace in a time of waiting. Next time you find your self waiting for something, stop and pray! God is already working on something beautiful for you!