What do you do when you don’t know what to do?
As Christians, it is our desire to know God’s will and to live it out. Learning His will is often achieved through time in prayer, reading God’s word, and seeking wise counsel. But what about when you’ve done all that, and God seems to be silent?
When this happens, it can be tempting to move ahead with our own plans or ideas, but this would be “leaning on our own understanding.” The best response is simply to wait, knowing the path God sets you on will be far better than what you could’ve imagined or accomplished on you own.
Isaiah 55:9 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Although God’s perfect plan often comes through patience, this time of waiting is not our cue to sit back and do nothing.
Here are some tips for staying productive during a season of waiting.
#1. While waiting, spend more time alone with God.
When somebody talks softly, it causes us to have to focus in and listen more closely. This is exactly what we should do when struggling to hear from God. In Matthew 7, Jesus encourages us to ask, seek, and knock continually until we receive an answer. Don’t take God’s timing as indication that He doesn’t want to hear from you.
#2. While waiting, recognize the opportunity for growth.
The bible says several times that strength is produced through the practicing of patience.
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
-Psalm 27:14
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
-Isaiah 40:31
I’m reminded of a song from several years ago by Josh Waller. The chorus said, “While I’m waiting, I will serve you. While I’m waiting, I will worship. While I’m waiting, I will not faint. I’ll be running the race even while I wait.
Waiting upon the Lord doesn’t mean we become stagnant. It’s a time of preparation. If you are in a season of waiting, look for ways to continue obediently running the race God has marked out for you!