Do you ever feel the erosion of the seconds and the hope of the years?
Do you ever feel the pull of the future and the echoes of the past?
I do.
I feel this tension between what was, what is, and what can be. I feel the battle between where I am and where I want to go. I feel the joy of the right now and the hope of tomorrow. I feel the smallness of today and the largeness of the future.
And I feel the waiting.
Waiting to see how God wants me to serve Him.
Waiting to understand how to spend time.
Waiting for direction in my plans.
Waiting for strong friendships.
Waiting to find love.
Waiting.
At first, this waiting bothered me, confused me, and hemmed me in. Life moved quickly around me, telling me to go and move. But at the same time, things developed slowly, requiring patience and time. Friendships take time. Romance takes time. Direction takes time.
But then I realized something. Waiting doesn't sit idle. And really, waiting isn't waiting at all. It simply voices a chapter of the story, a section of the journey. But the goal isn't to get to the end; the goal is to enjoy the story and give glory to the One writing it.
So the time of not-quite-yet, is also the time of hard work. The time of what-will-I-do is also the time of joy. The time of does-he-like-me is also the time of peace. Why? Because God is with us, and He is making all things beautiful in their time.
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
We aren't "there" yet, because we aren't created for "there." We're created for eternity. And as we wait for eternity, we don't just sit around and feel sorry for ourselves because we haven't finished writing that book. As we hope for the day of the Lord, we don't tweet about how we dislike being single on Valentine's Day. Waiting doesn't mean wishing for the goal, waiting means making every effort to welcome the journey.
"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." (2 Peter 3:13-14)
Fellow waiters, let's move in God's plans. Let's sing in joy for the now, keeping our hope in eternity. Let's embrace the journey, knowing that we aren't created for "there," but we are created for forever. God created us for growing, unfolding, working, and moving as He tells His Story in our lives one moment at a time.
Do you feel that? Eternity waves at us. It beckons us to start living even in the constraints of time. How will we respond?
"Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory, both now and forevermore." (2 Peter 3:17-18)
Princess Hannah
Waiting to see how God wants me to serve Him.Waiting to understand how to spend time.
Waiting for direction in my plans.
Waiting for strong friendships.
Waiting to find love.
Waiting.
At first, this waiting bothered me, confused me, and hemmed me in. Life moved quickly around me, telling me to go and move. But at the same time, things developed slowly, requiring patience and time. Friendships take time. Romance takes time. Direction takes time.
But then I realized something. Waiting doesn't sit idle. And really, waiting isn't waiting at all. It simply voices a chapter of the story, a section of the journey. But the goal isn't to get to the end; the goal is to enjoy the story and give glory to the One writing it.
So the time of not-quite-yet, is also the time of hard work. The time of what-will-I-do is also the time of joy. The time of does-he-like-me is also the time of peace. Why? Because God is with us, and He is making all things beautiful in their time.
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
We aren't "there" yet, because we aren't created for "there." We're created for eternity. And as we wait for eternity, we don't just sit around and feel sorry for ourselves because we haven't finished writing that book. As we hope for the day of the Lord, we don't tweet about how we dislike being single on Valentine's Day. Waiting doesn't mean wishing for the goal, waiting means making every effort to welcome the journey.
"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." (2 Peter 3:13-14)
Fellow waiters, let's move in God's plans. Let's sing in joy for the now, keeping our hope in eternity. Let's embrace the journey, knowing that we aren't created for "there," but we are created for forever. God created us for growing, unfolding, working, and moving as He tells His Story in our lives one moment at a time.
Do you feel that? Eternity waves at us. It beckons us to start living even in the constraints of time. How will we respond?
Princess Hannah
I love this so much, Hannah. Thank you for this lovely reminder:)
ReplyDeleteThis message pressed against my heart, so thank-you for the comment! It took a bit of work to formulate my thoughts, though.
Deleteaww, i really loved this, hannah. this is so truthful and beautiful. it really made me think. and the lovely pictures just made it better <3 i've been thinking about this a lot lately, and you're right. Waiting is so much more than JUST waiting, it's listening to God, waiting on HIM, so that we can soar as eagles. amazing post <3
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU! The pictures aren't mine, and come to think of it, the message isn't either. The photos came from a stock photo website, but the words came from God's presence in my heart over the past few months. I agree completely that the waiting involves lots of listening, but it also involves going. For we can go even in the uncertainty, as we realize that we don't have to wait as much as we thought that we did.
DeleteThis is so encouraging, Hannah love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AGH. I feel this so much. This is where I am and this reminder so sweet and so good for a weary soul to hear. Love and appreciate you and your blog xx Thank you for this!!!!!!!! Also, super excited for this playlist. ^-^
ReplyDeletethis makes the battle of writing this post so worth it. thank you thank you thank you.
Deletekeep our eye on JESUS!
THIS. omg. So much of what I needed like gaaaaahfdsksdncslncid i can't speak right. oki. ♥ "Waiting doesn't mean wishing for the goal, waiting means making every effort to welcome the journey." < so I've been thinking about this a lot. About how a lot of us look at people who are hugely successful (like celebrities or whatever) and we (or at least I) sort of assume that they've got it made and their lives are never dull or boring and they're never impatient because they don't have to worry about anything...but that's kind of not at all true. XD Because the little things stitch together the big things and we need to enjoy the journey, like you said and WHAT EVEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING ANYMORE.
ReplyDeletebut you're amazing and I'm subscribing to this playlist and your writing is so beautiful as always.
love,
abbiee
I love to read your thoughtful and beautiful comment! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! And you are right, some people embody "there" for us. They may be big singers, professional bloggers, or happily married mothers, but we tend to think that if we had what they had, then we would find joy! But joy is in Christ alone! The journey isn't a journey of arriving but one of wonder and trust.
DeleteThank you again for these words!
Hannah, this is such an encouraging post. Thank you! <3 Yes, waiting is sometimes tiring. I know in my head that God has awesome plans and great timing for things but I often need a reminder to take His word to heart and truly believe it. The journey is worth it if I rely on God. I'm especially grateful for the verses you included in this post, thank you! xx
ReplyDeleteHe writes the most beautiful stories! And His story revealed in His Words always encourages me and I'm so thankful that I got to encourage you today! Keep trusting Jesus!
DeleteI know I am not a very active follower, but I really enjoy your blog, so I just thought i would let you know, I nominated you for the Creative Blogger Award! <3
ReplyDelete( http://landofquiet.blogspot.com/2016/02/creative-blogger-award.html )
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENT AND THE NOMINATION!!!!! I loved the post and it is such an easy post, which I need right now!
DeleteI love this. I miss your blog and your words. <3
ReplyDeleteYOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW EXCITED I WAS TO SEE THAT YOU LEFT A COMMENT!!!! I really miss your words too. I'm here anytime!
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