By Dianne Barker

Dianne Barker here to extend a welcome. You’ve been tapped for membership in an elite group, The Waiting Club. I’m a long-time member myself, and I’d love to show you around. You’ll recognize familiar names.

This man needs no introduction. Noah had an unlikely assignment—to build an ark. He worked and waited a hundred years before the rain.

Here’s Abraham. God chose him to be the father of a new nation, but he waited twenty-five years for the birth of Isaac, the child of promise.

Have you met Joseph? One of twelve sons of Jacob, he had a calling on his life early-on, but he waited thirteen years in the worst of circumstances before being elevated to the second-highest position in Egypt.

Let me introduce Moses. He sensed God had a mighty purpose for his life but ended up in the desert tending sheep, waiting forty years until God’s time.

Friend, hold up a minute and let’s talk about you. I sense you’re a little downhearted, weary of waiting, and feeling alone. As you can see, The Waiting Club is jam-packed! You’re in good company. Still, I understand your disillusionment.

Your sole desire is to please the Lord and see His purpose fulfilled in your life. When He called, you followed, feeling honored to be on mission with Him. You didn’t expect detours and barriers. Waiting was not in the plan. You’re baffled and broken-hearted, wondering if you misunderstood the calling.

Maybe what I’ve learned in The Waiting Club will encourage you.

• God isn’t in a hurry. This is preparation time.
• God is interested in more than our comfort. We’re instruments for His glory.
• God has a purpose. We don’t have to know what it is to believe it.
• God is always doing something bigger than we can see.

Consider this. “For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised” (Hebrews 10:36 Amplified).

“So that” always indicates purpose.

When you can see no other purpose for the wait, let this satisfy you: God is developing patience and endurance to prepare and equip you to accomplish his will and fully enjoy his promises.

One more thing. While you wait, I highly recommend joining the praise choir. Praise helps the days pass quickly, keeps the heart light and hopeful, and magnifies our Sovereign Lord. One day He’ll say, “It’s time.”

The writer of Hebrews said of Moses, “…he never flinched but held staunchly to his purpose and endured steadfastly as one who gazed on Him Who is invisible” (11:27). While you wait…

• Never flinch.
• Hold staunchly to your purpose.
• Endure steadfastly as one who gazes on Him Who is invisible.

Who knows what future generations will say about you?

Dianne Barker is a speaker, radio host, and author of 11 books, including the best-selling Twice Pardoned and award-winning I Don’t Chase the Garbage Truck Down the Street in My Bathrobe Anymore! Organizing for the Maximum Life. She’s a member of Christian Authors Network, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and Christian Women in Media. Visit www.diannebarker.com.