Enjoy the quiet while you've got it

Many times, seasons of waiting are there to give us space to breathe before everything breaks loose.

Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” (1 Kings 19:7)

Who is your favorite Bible character? I have so many, it’s really difficult to narrow it down, but at the top of my list is the prophet Elijah.

Oh, Elijah. This dude was something else. He was such a drama queen. And he was also one of the most effective prophets of God in the Old Testament. But it didn’t take much for his emotional pendulum to swing to the opposite side of the board.

The guy had just celebrated a massive win. He called down fire from heaven. The wicked false prophets that were corrupting the people of Israel had been slaughtered. It was a great victory! But the queen threatened him, and he cratered.

After Elijah’s great victory on Mount Caramel, the Lord sent him on a journey. God had some things to say to the prophet Elijah, but God didn’t want his man traveling on an empty stomach.

Imagine being served breakfast by an angel! And, well, considering that this was an “angel of the Lord” it may have even been a Christophany (basically in non-theological terms, it may have been a time when Jesus appeared in the Old Testament before His human birth).

God knew that Elijah needed a rest before he took the next step. God had big plans for Elijah, and he needed to be ready to go the instant God told him to run. That meant he needed to rest.

So if God has brought you to a season of waiting, even if it’s not a fun time in your life, try to find the joy in it. Try to make margin to rest and gain strength. Many times, seasons of waiting are there to give us space to breathe before everything breaks loose.

When God says it’s time to run, you won’t stop. When He says it’s time to move, you won’t have time to look back. You’ll hit the ground running and you’ll run until it’s time to stop again.

So don’t despise your time of waiting. Embrace it. Enjoy it. God has big plans for you too, so rest while you can. Tomorrow may start the wildest ride of your life.

Questions for Reflection

• What would need to change in your life for you to enjoy the season of waiting you’re in?

• What is one way you can use the time you have in this season of waiting to learn or grow?

• How are some ways you can encourage others in your life who are going through a season of waiting?

Weekly Memory Verse