Hebrews 10:36, "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."
Have you ever experienced a period of waiting? Waiting for a new job, better finances, or genuine relationships? Many people have gone through this, but knowing that doesn't make it hurt any less. It can be a situation that deepens your relationship with God or shatters it. It is easy to become frustrated and angry at God, blaming him for a season that seems stagnant. But even if you are going through a period of waiting, you can still pursue the will of God. You can instead grow through a period of waiting and make this an impactful time in your life.
Pursuing the will of God doesn't have to be overly complicated. I simply ask myself whether this next step or decision will glorify God. Or does it go against his word? I could use my writing to glorify God, or I could use it to glorify myself. In both instances, I am using the talents that God gave me, but the outcome is vastly different. The one road leads to selfishness, pride, and even greed, but the other leads to a genuine fulfillment no amount of success could give.
When most people would tend to lean toward secular habits and unhealthy relationships, ask yourself if what you are doing reflects holiness. Notice the word is not perfection but holiness. Perfection expects no mistakes, but holiness sees God's grace through the mistakes. Holiness realizes God's love for us can be seen through the three A's: agony, anger, and… well difficult people we encounter.
I want you to know that even when you do not feel God moving in your life, he is continuously moving in your spirit if you let him. This world pressures us to take matters into our own hands and force our way into something because we are not patient enough to wait on God. But what if there is a reason behind the wait? What if God knows something we don't?
The above verse is from a section in the book of Hebrews meant to encourage believers to pursue their faith when under pressure.
Matthew Henry writes in explanation to this verse, "We must be God's waiting servants when we can be no longer his working servants."
Nevertheless, we are his servants who will have his providence despite our current circumstances.
A prayer for when you are waiting:
Dear God,
I am feeling overwhelmed, lost, and confused.
I don't know what's next, but I pray for your guidance through these next steps, even if that next step is to stay put.
I pray for peace, and I pray against bitterness.
I pray no amount of hatred would grow in my heart but only more understanding.
I pray to be genuinely happy for others as I see their life progress.
I pray to remember you are a God of deliverance and stability.
I pray to have clarity and patience as I pursue your will for me.
Thank you for being a God who is a solid foundation.
As this world crumbles, you stand firm.
Thank you for being the one true God who is a source of light.
As this world denies me, you love me as your own.
As this world denies you, I love you as my God.
Send me the right people, and send away those who will harm me.
Open the right opportunities and close the wrong ones.
I pray to be the right person for those around me.
Pursing kindness and holiness within my outward and inward actions.
I pray all these things in your name, Amen.
-Rachel Reigard
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