Raise your hand if you like waiting?

As I sit here to pray and process today, I think of my past two years and how there's been a lot of waiting... but wow has there also been a lot of fruit. Not necessarily fruit in the sense of worldly accomplishments (though there's been some of this, all glory to God). But fruit in how God has cleaned up my character and taught me to joy of pursuing him, obeying him, being like him.

Yesterday, I had one of my favourite day dates with God. The past two months have been extremely busy - even weekends are packed. So it was a real joy to be able to relax and ask the Holy Spirit to move and then obey as he lead. One of the things I did was read through my journal from this point last year. I'm pretty sure I thought I was ready for a lot of things then but in reading my entries I realized that, really, I wasn't. There was sin to overcome. There was maturity needed before responsibility. There was a need to really practice what it looks like to truly put God first in all ways.

We'll always be a work in progress. I hope when I read my current journal in a year's time, I'll also praise God for how he has refined me again. And I pray the same for you, dear reader and friend.

If you're reading this frustrated about being in a long season of waiting, let me give you an e-hug and assure you: I've been there. In some ways, I'm still there some times. But the best thing I've learned is an oft repeated truth that we would do well to practice.

We must not waste the waiting.

God (God!) knows what he's doing. He made us, he loves us - and all things are in his hands. So may we surrender each day, to his love, his ways, and thoroughly enjoy what it means to be in a tailor-made plan.

Below are five mini devotionals for a season of waiting.

They're encouragements I felt God speak to my heart during prayer, and I pray they will encourage you too.

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:24)

May we never forget just how LOVED we are by the King of the Universe.

1. Don't miss out

I have called you to me in a special way this season. Don’t miss out. Seek me in all things, in all ways. You want to experience me intimately? For me to pour out? Get ready! Live your life wholly devoted to me. Change your habits as I show you. Take things one step at a time.

*Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:6)

*The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. (Psalm 37:23)

*Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. (Proverbs 1:23)

2. Enjoy every day

Rely on me for strength, my child. This season will be an adventure. Enjoy everyday. Continue to enjoy everyday knowing you are in my plan and I delight in you accomplishing what I’ve called you to do. Seek me in all ways. I’ve got you. I love you.

*People ought to enjoy every day of their lives, no matter how long they live. (Ecclesiastes 11:8, NCV)

*You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. (Proverbs 19:21)

*Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. (1 Chronicles 16:11)

3. Watch God work

Today I want you to declare you know the truth about me and my faithfulness. The truth that I will never let you down. Watch me work. I can’t wait to see you so delighted by what I have in store for you. I love you, my precious daughter. I will bless you because I love you. Not because you were perfectly obedient or because you performed. But because I love you. Rest in me.

*He will cover you with His wings. And under His wings you will be safe. He is faithful like a safe-covering and a strong wall. (Psalm 91:4)

*“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

*Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. (John 13:23)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

4. Know who you are

Don’t worry. Look to me and to what I have for you each day. Seek me as often as possible. Even five minute prayer / praise / worship breaks are so effective. The enemy will try and distract you but you must know better. Know who you are this year. You are a child of God.

*But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

*Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

*So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

*But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)

5. Take God's call seriously

Take your call seriously, my child. There’s a lot I want you to do and this is your season. I want you to do these things now for a reason. And know you are so loved and cherished. I can’t wait to see you bloom.

*You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. (John 15:16)

*So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

*Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. (Ephesians 4:14-15)

#theyayproject