Worth The Wait

"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." Habakkuk 2:3

It was about a year ago that I felt like the Lord put a dream in my heart. For the past year, I've made some progress at what feels like a snail's pace toward making that dream a reality. Because things aren't happening according to my agenda and my timeline, I often doubt that the Lord really did speak to me about what was to be.

"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9

The truth is, when the Lord put these desires in my heart, I immediately started to make my own plans and in my mind, I would go from A to Z in a very short time. But that is not how God works.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

The Lord has His timeline and His agenda regarding my plans and my dreams for my life. He is not surprised by them, He is the one who put them on my heart. He has a plan for me to get from A to Z, a perfect plan.

"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD." Isaiah 55:8

It sounds beautiful and perfect when I write out those words, however, it can be frustrating and confusing when it feels like it's taking too long.

"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:4

During this journey in faith that I'm on, I've learned that my Heavenly Father is more concerned with my character than He is my comfort. Any path He has me on is for a purpose greater than what it seems and both His timeline and His agenda are essential for me to experience God's best for my life.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11

I do know this deep down in my spirit but I would be lying if I said I didn't I struggle to wait on God. I have at times jumped ahead of God and that always ended in disaster or me receiving far less than what God intended for me.

"There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

I'm in a season where I'm learning to wait on God's instruction. I have to wait for Him before I can move forward, taking another step closer to achieving my dream.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

I recently heard a pastor speak who said that if you can achieve your dream without God's help, then it isn't from Him. I knew what He meant. God deliberately gives us dreams and desires that we can't achieve in our own power. This allows us to experience His great love for us, His amazing power, His unending grace and mercy during the journey. It also gives all the glory to God and not man.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." 1 Peter 5:6

I have to say, if I look back at the past year, it is easy to see His presence at every step. He has connected me to the right people, had me in the right places and given me the provision I needed to be successful at each point in the journey from where I started to where I am now.

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" Psalm 27:14

My prayer now is that He gives me the patience and the faith I need to stay in His will. I'm learning to stay in the moment, to focus on today rather than look too far ahead. This has allowed me to recognize His direction, His grace, His mercy and His provision for each day. It allows me to experience and recognize the small miracles happening in my life every day.

"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him." Lamentations 3:25

I understand now why the Lord has me in this place in my life. This time is essential for me to learn to wait on God. This will allow me to experience His very best, which is definitely something worth the wait.

With Love and Gratitude,

Stacey