While I Wait: Patience and Purpose in Waiting

As we gather in this season of Thanksgiving, I am reminded of the precious gift of life and the blessing of seeing familiar faces year after year. Many of us have experienced loss—some even on this very holiday—but God has kept us, and for that, we give thanks. Thanksgiving is more than just a meal; it’s a time of fellowship, of reconnecting with loved ones, and of sharing in the work that makes the celebration possible. Just as every dish on the table requires preparation and teamwork, so too does our journey of faith require patience, participation, and unity.

The process of preparing a Thanksgiving meal is a vivid picture of life’s waiting seasons. There’s anticipation, hard work, and sometimes frustration when things don’t go as planned. When everyone in the house contributes, the burden is lighter and the outcome is richer. But when one person tries to do it all, something inevitably gets neglected. This mirrors our spiritual lives: we are called to work together, to support one another, and to recognize that waiting is not wasted time.

Impatience is a challenge in our culture. We want everything quickly, but true growth and fulfillment come through the process of waiting. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. Waiting is not passive; it’s an active trust in God’s timing. While we wait—whether for a meal, a breakthrough, or an answer to prayer—we are called to do something. We can serve, encourage, and prepare ourselves and others for what’s to come.

Just as a good recipe requires the right ingredients—love, wisdom, a hint of attitude, and a willingness to start over when things go wrong—so does our walk with God. Sometimes we have to throw out what isn’t working and begin again, trusting that God will provide what we need. Even in the midst of distractions, fatigue, and setbacks, we are invited to stay focused on our purpose and to keep moving forward. While we wait, let’s be found faithful, serving, and loving those around us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Patience is an active trust in God Patience is not simply enduring time; it is a deliberate act of trusting God’s timing and process. In seasons of waiting, we are invited to lean into faith, believing that God is working even when we cannot see it. This trust transforms waiting from a burden into an opportunity for growth and renewal. [06:23]
• 2. Community lightens the burdens of life When everyone in the household of faith contributes, the load is shared and the outcome is richer. God designed us for community, not isolation. By working together, we reflect His love and make the journey more joyful and sustainable for all. [04:41]
• 3. Waiting is a time for preparation, not idleness While we wait—whether for a meal or for God’s promises—we are called to be active, not passive. Preparation, service, and self-examination during waiting seasons equip us for what God has in store. Our actions in the waiting shape the outcome. [07:08]
• 4. Embrace setbacks as opportunities to start anew Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and we must begin again. Rather than seeing this as failure, we can view it as a chance to learn, grow, and trust God’s provision. God’s grace meets us in our restarts, and He uses them to refine us. [10:29]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:09] - Remembering Loved Ones and Gratitude
• [02:58] - Thanksgiving Preparations Begin
• [03:47] - The Joy and Work of Cooking
• [04:17] - Everyone Has a Role
• [04:41] - The Power of Teamwork
• [05:14] - The Pressure to Get It Right
• [05:40] - The Challenge of Impatience
• [06:23] - The Gift of Patience
• [06:52] - Isaiah 40:31 and Waiting
• [07:08] - What to Do While We Wait
• [07:36] - More Than Bread Alone
• [08:13] - The Recipe for Life
• [08:46] - The Importance of Process
• [09:42] - Distractions and Perseverance
• [10:29] - Starting Over and Staying Focused
• [11:09] - Encouragement for the Journey

1. According to Isaiah 40:31, what happens to those who wait on the Lord? What images does the verse use to describe the result of waiting?
2. In the sermon, what are some of the specific tasks and roles mentioned that go into preparing a Thanksgiving meal? ([04:17])
3. What does the preacher say about what happens when only one person tries to do all the work for the Thanksgiving meal? ([04:41])
4. How does the sermon describe the process of waiting—whether for food or for God’s promises? ([07:08])

1. What does it mean that “waiting is not wasted time” according to the sermon? How does this idea challenge the way people usually think about waiting? ([07:08])
2. The preacher says that patience is “an active trust in God’s timing.” How is this different from just sitting around and doing nothing? ([06:23])
3. The sermon compares preparing a meal to our spiritual lives. In what ways does teamwork in the kitchen reflect how God wants us to live as a church family? ([04:41])
4. When things go wrong and we have to “start over from scratch,” what does the sermon say about God’s role in those moments? ([10:29])

1. Think about a time when you had to wait for something important. How did you handle the waiting? Did you see it as wasted time, or did you find ways to grow during that season? ([07:08])
2. The sermon talks about everyone having a role in preparing the Thanksgiving meal. In your own life, are there areas where you try to do everything yourself instead of asking for help or working with others? What could you do differently this week? ([04:41])
3. Isaiah 40:31 says that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. Is there an area in your life right now where you need to trust God’s timing? What would it look like to actively trust Him instead of becoming impatient? ([06:23])
4. The preacher mentions that sometimes things don’t go as planned and we have to “throw away something and start all over.” Can you share a recent setback you’ve experienced? How might God be inviting you to see it as a chance to grow or start fresh? ([10:29])
5. The sermon says that “waiting is a time for preparation, not idleness.” What is one practical thing you can do this week to prepare for what you’re waiting for—whether it’s an answer to prayer, a new opportunity, or a change in your life? ([07:08])
6. The message highlights the importance of community in lightening life’s burdens. Who in your life could use some encouragement or practical help right now? How can you reach out to them this week? ([04:41])
7. The preacher talks about distractions and fatigue during the process of preparing a meal. What are some distractions or sources of fatigue in your spiritual life? What steps can you take to stay focused on your purpose? ([09:42])