We hear so many references about faith, like “faith without works is dead,” and we also hear many references pertaining to waiting or patience. But why does it seem like the two are rarely used simultaneously? When I think of faith, I think of it in conjunction with an action. I need to have enough faith to move here, do this, or go there, but what happens when faith gets you there, but you need that same faith to keep you there?
When I do something out of faith I am expecting something to happen. Now, I ain’t that seasoned where I can speak to the art of expectation, but I can say through experience, the expectation that God will fulfill the promise is good, but it gets tricky when we put expectations on how God should do it. The when, how, where, by who, through what, etc. can not be filled out by us, that is God’s job too.
God spoke to me and said, that working out your faith isn’t always literal, that movement isn’t always moving towards freedom, and working out our faith can also be waiting. While we wait we are working on our trust, trusting that although we’re waiting, it is still happening. While we wait, we are also praying and keeping in step with the Lord. And lastly, while we wait, we are not being influenced by our fears and past. Waiting is just as much as part of the faith process as the pursuit.
Look at my main man King David. When Samuel came and anointed him King of Israel, he did not immediately ride up to the castle to take his throne. But David had to wait, and he also had to endure some things while he waited. David shows us that waiting isn’t being idle, stuck, or doing nothing, but waiting is actually an active state.
Our waiting season is formed to help produce the fruit of the spirit. David was in his season of waiting to produce the armor he needed to fight the continuous battles he would face. God will always prepare you for the next season you are entering. Be still and know that your waiting is not in vain and your movement (emphasis on “your movement”) is not leading you to freedom. Move only when the Lord speaks and be diligent in your waiting season. For the Lord can only produce fruit in prepared soil.
Therefore do not confuse your waiting with idleness. Know that working out your faith, includes waiting and it is a part of the process. Take a breath, and know that in the right season, you’ll get there.
A Journey to Summer 