Don't Waste The Wait

Strong in Every Season
Week 4: Don't Waste The Wait 🎯 Key Takeaways Core Points:

Embrace seasons of waiting as opportunities for growth, not wasted time. Actively serve others during waiting periods; this prepares you for future roles. “Set your sails” by developing skills and deepening your spiritual life. Recognize God’s timing; He often acts quickly after a period of seeming inaction. Beware of “Ishmael compromises”—temptations to achieve goals prematurely. Trust God’s higher plan; His dreams for you surpass your own. 🔍 Summary Seasons of Waiting

The sermon centers on the theme of seasons of waiting in life, particularly within a faith-based context. Speaker 1 uses the analogy of stoplights in his town to illustrate how frustrating waiting can feel, even when there’s no apparent reason for the delay. He argues that waiting is a common experience for believers, pointing to biblical figures like Joseph and David who endured lengthy periods of waiting before God fulfilled his promises to them. He emphasizes that God’s timing is different from our own and often involves a “fullness of time” before intervention.

God’s Work Behind the Veil Speaker 1 highlights that often, during times of waiting, we cannot see what God is doing behind the scenes. He uses the example from Daniel chapter 10, where an angel is delayed in delivering a message to Daniel due to a spiritual battle in the heavenly realm. This illustrates that even when it seems like nothing is happening, God may be actively working to overcome obstacles. He connects this to the concept of reconciliation with God, stating that if God acted on our behalf while we were his enemies, he will do even more now that we are his children.

Waiting Well: Serving and Setting Sails The speaker then offers practical advice on how to navigate these waiting periods productively. He encourages active service to others, drawing parallels with Joseph and David, who used their waiting time to develop skills and prepare for future leadership. Speaker 1 shares a personal anecdote about his own early church involvement, highlighting the importance of finding a service area that aligns with one’s abilities. He introduces the concept of “setting your sails”—preparing oneself spiritually and professionally for opportunities that God will present in due course. This includes honing skills, engaging with scripture, and cultivating spiritual growth.

God’s Timing and the Ishmael Principle Speaker 1 emphasizes the characteristic pattern of God’s work: periods of slow, seemingly unproductive waiting followed by sudden, dramatic action. He calls this “God works twice.” He cautions against the “Ishmael principle”—the temptation to compromise and take matters into one’s hands just before God acts. He uses the example of Abraham’s compromise with Sarah to illustrate the potential negative consequences of this premature action. This compromise resulted in conflict and is presented as a cautionary tale.

Promises for Those Who Wait The speaker concludes by referencing Isaiah 40:31, which promises renewed strength and the ability to soar above difficulties for those who wait patiently on the Lord. He also emphasizes the passage in Hebrews that emphasizes the need for patience after we have done God’s will, asserting that the promise follows faithful action and perseverance. The sermon ends with a call to prayer and reflection, encouraging listeners to consider whether their own dreams are aligned with God’s greater plan.