The time in between shows us what we’re made of. The waiting season is like the tide that pulls back to sea and reveals the garbage on the beach. Waiting on God is essential to faith and maturity because it reveals our motives, our intentions and our character. When you wait for a certain breakthrough, how do you spend the time in between? Do you see it as a time to leave the well (Christ) and play in mud puddles instead?
Do you stay by the well but just bide your time by chewing your nails and watching the grass grow? Or do you consider your time of waiting an active season? A time to lean in and listen. A time to keep your ear bent towards heaven and your eyes fixed on Jesus.
Waiting is a true test of our hearts.
When we don’t get what we want when we want it, our impatience surfaces. Our selfishness rears its ugly head. Our sense of entitlement makes us clench our fists and grit our teeth. And that’s why the time in between is so important.
It’s a time to humble ourselves and admit our need for more of Christ’s character in us. It’s a time to allow God to make us more fit for the blessing He so longs to give. And it’s a time to pursue a deeper relationship with God. More than the treasures we receive from His hand, may we treasure the gift of better knowing His heart.
Over and over again, we read stories from the Bible of people who mishandled the time in between. But some chose not to. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is of Joseph from the Old Testament. God gave him a mighty vision for his life, and then allowed him to endure one injustice after another. And what did Joseph do with his time in between?
He was faithful, patient and humble. And every time, he landed on top of his circumstances. His character proved him ready to handle the management of a mighty nation.
This morning I was reading from the book of Matthew where Jesus was warning the disciples not to be deceived. He said that many will be partying and getting drunk right up to the moment Christ returns to earth.
Here again, whether we like it or not, we are living in the “time in between” when Christ came and when He comes again.
Will we get bored of waiting and make our own idols?
Or will we use this time to deal with what our inconveniences bring up in us? Jesus wonders this, “When I return will I find faith on the earth?” May He find faith in our hearts and faithfulness in our footsteps! No matter what breakthrough you’re waiting for, be faithful in the waiting.
Susie Larson is a radio host, author and national speaker. She hosts her own daily live talk show, Live the Promise with Susie Larson. Susie connects weekly with thousands through her radio program and her daily faith questions on Facebook. Susie’s 10th book releases in June, 2015. She comes with a passion to see women everywhere strengthened in their faith and mobilized to live out their high call in Jesus Christ.
Janet Perez Eckles 
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