Transforming Waiting into Active Preparation and Growth

Devotional

Day 1: Waiting as a Time for Growth

Waiting is not a passive state but a time for preparation and growth. Like Joseph, who used his waiting period to develop leadership qualities, we can use this time to prepare for the future we envision. Waiting is an opportunity to refine our skills and character, making us ready for the blessings to come. [31:53]

Genesis 40:14-15 (ESV): "Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit."

Reflection: What specific skills or character traits can you focus on developing during your current season of waiting? How can you actively work on these areas today?

Day 2: Recognizing Present Resources

Often, what we need for our future is already present in our lives. Ruth's story teaches us to inventory our current resources and use them wisely. By focusing on what we have, rather than what we lack, we can create opportunities for growth and success. [25:10]

2 Kings 4:2 (ESV): "And Elisha said to her, 'What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?' And she said, 'Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.'"

Reflection: What resources or opportunities are already present in your life that you may have overlooked? How can you use them to move forward in your journey today?

Day 3: Active Anticipation

Waiting should be a time of active anticipation, where we bring joy and excitement into our present circumstances. This involves creating our own happiness and not relying on future events to bring fulfillment. By doing so, we can transform our current situation into something beautiful. [50:47]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: How can you bring joy and excitement into your current circumstances, regardless of external situations? What is one thing you can do today to create your own happiness?

Day 4: Learning and Adapting

Esther's story highlights the importance of learning and adapting during waiting periods. She used her time to understand the preferences of the king and prepare herself for her future role. This teaches us the value of being open to learning and change as we wait for our breakthroughs. [38:09]

Proverbs 1:5 (ESV): "Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance."

Reflection: What new skills or knowledge can you pursue during this waiting period? How can you adapt to your current situation to better prepare for future opportunities?

Day 5: Solving Problems as a Path to Success

Joseph's ability to solve problems during his waiting period led to his rise in leadership. By identifying and addressing issues around us, we can create opportunities for advancement and distinction. Problem-solving is a key to unlocking future success. [45:14]

Daniel 5:12 (ESV): "Because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation."

Reflection: What problems or challenges are present in your life that you can address today? How can solving these issues create new opportunities for growth and success?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the theme of waiting and what to do during those periods of anticipation. Many of us find ourselves in seasons of waiting—whether it's for a job, healing, love, or a breakthrough. Waiting can often feel like a passive state, but it doesn't have to be. Instead, waiting can be a time of preparation, growth, and anticipation. We looked at biblical examples like Abraham, who grew weary and made hasty decisions, and Joseph, who used his waiting period to develop leadership qualities. These stories remind us that waiting is not just about enduring but about actively preparing for what is to come.

Waiting is not the absence of movement; it's a force that can be harnessed for growth. It's a time to inventory what we have, to recognize the resources and opportunities already present in our lives. Ruth, for example, used her waiting period to serve and sow seeds of servanthood, which eventually led to her becoming part of the lineage of Jesus. Similarly, Esther used her time of waiting to prepare herself for her role as queen, learning and adapting to the needs of her future.

The key is to transform waiting into a period of active anticipation and preparation. This involves recognizing the value in our current circumstances and using them as stepping stones to our future. It's about bringing our own joy and excitement into the present, rather than waiting for external circumstances to change. By doing so, we can turn our present into a palace, even if it started as a barn. This mindset shift allows us to find joy and fulfillment in the journey, not just the destination.

Key Takeaways

1. solving is a key to unlocking future success. [45:14]
** [45:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:26] - Introduction: The Season of Waiting
[01:33] - Waiting for Healing and Breakthroughs
[03:09] - The Challenges of Waiting
[05:06] - Abraham's Impatience
[06:22] - Israel's Murmuring in the Wilderness
[07:18] - Joy in the Present
[09:18] - The Strategy of Waiting
[11:39] - Anticipation and Hope
[13:27] - What to Do While Waiting
[16:28] - The Pool of Bethesda
[19:19] - Recognizing Present Opportunities
[22:28] - Ruth's Story of Servanthood
[31:53] - Joseph's Leadership Development
[38:09] - Esther's Preparation and Learning
[45:14] - Problem Solving as a Path to Success

Sermon Clips

Waiting is not the absence of movement; it's not the absence of activity. Waiting is not being in one spot. Waiting is a force, and I want to help you turn this waiting into something that's pleasurable, something that you taste, something that you experience because I believe the waiting can be anticipatory. [00:13:27]

Waiting is not a delay; it's a preparation. Waiting can be as thrilling as when it actually occurs. In fact, you will find that once you have achieved a goal, all the energy it took to get there now is dissipated, and you've created a vacuum. At the end of every victory, you will feel an emptiness. [00:14:18]

Ruth documented what do I have going for me? I have a mother-in-law who's experienced. I have a mother-in-law who knows God. I have a mother-in-law who knows my heart. Her husband died like mine did, and she started, and she decided he would serve her. She would sow the seed of servanthood into her environment. [00:25:10]

Joseph learned how to get along with unhappy people. Some of you hadn't learned that. Some of us want to kill him, move him out, kick about, fire, but unhappiness is a door. Unhappiness is a clue that there's maybe a problem you can solve, and when Joseph saw unhappiness on those two men, he said, can I participate in changing? [00:45:14]

Esther was willing for the becoming. Esther was willing to invest the mentorship. She knew she wasn't ready. She accepted that, but she began to listen, and she listened, and she listened, and she kept listening, and she kept listening until she became, and the day came when she walked out of her room, nobody could touch her. [00:38:09]

Joseph began to act like the future he saw. He began to act like the future he saw. He began to act like the future he saw. A young preacher left Bible School said, what should I do? Nobody is opening up doors. I said, put on your suit, put on your tie, get your business cards printed, and start going to conferences. [00:31:53]

What do you do while you're waiting? You look for problems. Problem-solving guarantees your success. Problem-solving creates your distinction. Mother's problem-solving makes you known. Let me tell you a little story I heard. There's a young couple work for me many years ago. Love them both precious. The young lady wanted to be my secretary. [00:45:14]

Waiting is not a postponement of your joy. Waiting is not a postponement of your pleasure. There's something in the present you must taste. John 5 verse 1 after this, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the Sheep market a pool. [00:16:28]

Waiting is an acknowledgment of divine timing. Seek the Lord while he may be found. You'll reap in due season if you faint not. Some of us are waiting for a break. We're waiting for somebody to recognize who we are. We're recognizing for somebody to fall in love with us or want waiting for somebody to fall in love. [00:19:19]

Joseph, what are you doing while you're waiting? You had a picture of kingship. You had a picture of being in leadership. You had a picture up here, but look at you now. The Bible said he remembered his dream. What did he do while he was waiting? He replayed his dream. He kept it in front of him. [00:31:53]

Esther's story highlights the importance of learning and adapting during waiting periods. She used her time to understand the preferences of the king and prepare herself for her future role. This teaches us the value of being open to learning and change as we wait for our breakthroughs. [00:38:09]

The key is to transform waiting into a period of active anticipation and preparation. This involves recognizing the value in our current circumstances and using them as stepping stones to our future. It's about bringing our own joy and excitement into the present, rather than waiting for external circumstances to change. [00:50:47]

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