I've been a Christian since I was a child. I was the classic "church kid" people think of when they think about the term. I was raised in church, got baptized when I was nine, and it's been something that defines who I am for longer than I can remember.
But I understand what a season of waiting feels like. Whether you're waiting for the right relationship to come along, a stellar job offer that pays enough, or simply waiting to feel like God's answered you back - it can be a rough season.
I feel like I'm currently in a season of waiting. I've been in one for a while, specifically since I became single, for the man I know God has for me. I've been in a season of waiting for the dream job I want because I don't have my full degree yet. And obviously, since I live with my parents when I'm not at school, I've been waiting for my own place since I was born.
But I'm talking about a season of waiting all Christians will experience at some point or another, where it feels like life has somewhat slowed down and you're waiting for God to tell you the next move, or simply waiting to feel connected to Him again.
If you're reading your Bible and praying, you're actually always connected to Him, but I know that sometimes God seems quieter than other points in your life. You may not understand it, or you may know that God's waiting to do something specific in your life.
I'm here to remind you that, even though you may be in a season of waiting or of feeling stuck, you are never actually stuck.
When the Israelites were dealing with their past (being enslaved and mistreated and feeling stuck), God told them, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:18-20, NIV).
The Israelites went on to struggle with hardships, as well as claiming multiple victories as a nation and in their own personal faith, and God was there the entire time! That's the beauty of it! He rescues us, as He did the Israelites, but He doesn't just stop there.
He wants to know us and He also wants the very best for us, even when things don't go the way we planned or the way we wanted them to. He made promises to the Israelites in the above passage and He's not the type to forget about those promises or just cast them off when He feels like it. When He makes a promise, as you can see through the Israelites' story and so many others, He keeps them and delivers more to us than we could've ever imagined.
Second Corinthians 5:17 states, "Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come." I don't know about y'all, but this verse always reminds me that I have the choice to be new and unburdened every day if I am in Christ. We may still feel anxiety, or sadness, or any other emotion this world tries to throw our way, let's face it - I'm human and so are you. However, this is a statement, not a question, and we can rest in the fact that God considers us new and precious, even if we don't feel that way at the time.
The Bible is FULL of stories where people who feel stuck, anxious, sick, etc. are rescued by God. Time and time again this is the case, so why would it be any different with us?
God's people had worshipped idols, they'd been sexually immoral, Paul killed Christians before he became an apostle. There were women who had been prostitutes, men who were lepers, and blind people who could barely go anywhere without the help of another.
And God thought they were worth it ALL. And He still does.
The work it takes to stir hearts to free the oppressed, the disappointment when people choose not to accept Christ, and even the cross.
It was all worth it to God.
And no matter how you feel in this moment or another, God is there. He loves you beyond measure and comprehension. And He wants to be near to you always! If you feel stuck, remember this and rest in the fact that God is still working. He's even using that feeling of loneliness to do something in your life, trust me!
