The Waiting Place

This time of year, as graduates are recognized and futures are contemplated, I often think about the Dr. Seuss classic "Oh, the Places You'll Go". I love that book because it so simply yet succinctly describes the path we are all on. Sometimes we are charging ahead and things are going great. Other times we are struggling to find our way through the maze of life when nothing seems to be working out. And then there are those most dreaded times when we are in the "Waiting Place". You know...that place where you're not sure if you should charge forward or retreat backward. That place where no decision seems right even though making no decision at all is even worse! At least when you are struggling you have something to focus on and overcome. When you're in the Waiting Place, you're not even sure what it is you're waiting on and there isn't really anything to overcome.

I have to be honest here and admit that lately I have been stuck in the Waiting Place. Don't get me wrong. I truly believe my personal relationship with the Spirit of God is stronger than it has ever been. However, day-to-day life seems to be stuck right now. My head tells me that it is just a season and will not last forever, but my heart is desperately searching for the path that I need to be traveling on.

I can't imagine what it felt like for Moses and the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years - talk about a Waiting Place!!! But I guess for Moses and Joshua, there was always the knowledge that God had a plan for them. God was just waiting on them to prepare themselves to fulfill that plan.

Maybe it is the same for me. I have faith and confidence in the fact that God has a plan and I get to somehow be a part of that plan. This season of waiting is God waiting on me to prepare myself to fulfill it. This is my season to address the weaknesses in my life so that I can be the most useful tool possible for God to use when the time is right.

I guess I need to look at it like this...I am not waiting on God. God is waiting on me. He is patiently waiting on me to be prepared to join Him on the path He has already made.