Today’s article was originally published by the Student Support Program in October 2016. Click here to read the full newsletter.

Graduate high school: Check.
Graduate college: Check.
Find a job: Check
Get married:
… and the list of what comes next in our lives goes on and on, no matter what stage of life we’re at. As humans, we constantly want the next big thing in our lives. We are always searching for the latest iPhone, the next promotion at work, the latest, brand-new diet trends and so on. We are constantly in a state of want and are never just in a state of waiting without acting.

Let’s take a second to think of “The Lion King.” Simba could just not wait to be king, he could not wait to be “free to run around all day” or to “do it all his way.”

He just could not wait.

But as Zazu reminded him in the film, “Not yet.” For me, listening to Zazu’s advice is a serious struggle. He reminded Simba that while it will be great to be king, that’s still not happening.

It is essential that we remember that although we’re waiting, our “next big moment” is coming soon, and for this, we need to enjoy and embrace this waiting time we’ve been blessed with.

One of the most valuable tools that I’ve learned throughout my education classes has been the power of “wait time.” This is the awkward moment that occurs after a teacher asks a question and the room falls into silence.

As a teacher, it feels like hours even though it gives the students time to process and think about their answers. Embracing the wait time allows the students to answer the question and can take the pressure off of the teacher in those moments of quiet. As followers of Christ, we also need to embrace our personal wait times.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Waiting on the Lord allows us to have greater strength, to have wings like eagles, to run and not be tired, to walk and not be weak. What a promise! If I can embrace the wait time now and be granted all of this after the wait, then I will always choose to wait on the Lord.

Next time you feel the urge to run ahead of God, stop and wait.

Next time you want to take something into your own hands instead of letting God handle it, stop and wait.

Next time you think God is taking too long to answer you, stop and wait.

In this period of waiting, you will find that God speaks the most. It is in these moments of patience when He looks at us and smiles because we’ve placed everything completely into His hands, when He sees us waiting, reflecting and contemplating His goodness.

Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses.

Stop running wild with your own desires.

Wait on God.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.