For The Young and the Waiting

When I was a teenager, I didn’t dream of happily ever after. I didn’t fashion my wedding dress in my mind, nor did I think about Mr. Right. Dating was just a “thing” you did.

I was afraid. I was angry. I didn’t understand. I had a first-row seat to my sisters’ teenage pregnancies, and the heartache it brought to them and to my parents. I promised myself “I will never get married.”

I opened my Bible little during what were some of the most difficult moments in my teen years. When I did, I was looking to find comfort when I was hurt – and I did. I was drawn to God’s love. It was so pure and perfect. God loved me for who I was. Though I didn’t know it, he had a great plan for my life. . . It included marriage.

I wish I had invested more time into knowing God’s word, preparing for marriage. Instead, I got swept away in the dating scene and didn’t even realize God had so much to say about relationships.

Fast forward. I did get married. Michael is my best friend, not perfect, but perfect for me. He has lead me closer to the Lord as we have gone through better and worse, sickness and health, richer and poorer. The whole shebang.  I want to say, “Dating was easy and I was well prepared to be a good wife.”, but I can’t.  What I can say is God’s grace, his mercies and his Word have poured into my life and helped me to see God’s truth about who I am in Him and who He wants me to be.  

I longed to see and experience his purpose and his provision, but often I missed out.  I didn’t seek God first and allow him to work in and through my life. I simply did not understand the importance of waiting on God. It seemed to make more sense to look at what appeared as successful relationships and try to be what they were. Do what they did. The problem was I was not who they were, nor did God desire me to be. The more I tried to be good enough (it seemed to work for everybody else), the further I distanced myself from God’s truth. All my try-hard, work-smart, I’ve-got-this mentality was wearing me down and got in the way of my relationship with the One that could make real change happen.

Whether you are waiting to get married, or waiting on circumstances in a relationship to change, waiting on the Lord allows God to act on your behalf. And if God is doing the work, you are not in control.

If you get ahead of God, you’re likely going in the wrong direction. Share on X

Waiting is hard, giving up control is even harder. Women love control. If we are in control, we feel secure. We feel sure we can make it happen. We can have the future of our dreams!  While we are waiting on the Lord, we can do what it takes to get it right – to find Mr. Right. Right?

Wrong.

Wait a minute, you want me to wait and give up control? So, what’s a girl to do while she is waiting?

When you wait on God, contentment conquers your craving for control. Share on X

Waiting on the Lord is waiting for the next step, day-by-day.  It is seeking him through prayer and the scriptures so that you don’t make a wrong turn. Or when you do, you know how to get back on track. Waiting is growing in your walk with God and serving him as you serve others. Waiting is doing, but it is doing the things in the present that will prepare you for your future.

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

In a way, God is waiting on you. He wants you to give the hard-to-give parts of your life over to him and welcome his presence. When you open the door for God to work in your life, he will work! He has a purpose, for you, as you wait. That purpose may not be what you expected, or even want at the moment, but it is for your good. Trust Him.

God has you where you are now for a future purpose. Share on X

Waiting, giving up control and finding purpose in the here and now may seem overwhelming or even impossible in your circumstances, but God asks that we live the life he has called us to for the moment. If and when He places marriage before you, you will be better prepared for a life-long commitment to your spouse and to God.

While you’re waiting, remember it is Him that you are seeking, not Mr. Right and not to be someone else other than who God made you to be. If you need answers, look to the Scriptures and pray over the details of your circumstances. If you need comfort, find it in his Word and in relationship with Him. When you need friends to lean on, make sure they too are chasing after God, his goodness and Glory.

It is my hope that your heart is open to God and his will for your single, one-day-married life. Until then, know that God has purpose for you where you are at right now. Don’t miss out!