In His Waiting Room

“But those who wait on the Lord, Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint” Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

Off the back of Easter, I’ve been reflecting on the power of the finished work of the cross. Do we stop to think about the gravity of how our debt was paid in full?

Christ lived a human existence for 33 years, knowing the mission. He bore that burden and as He waited, He did the work of the Father.

I’m turning 33 next month, and it got me thinking: imagine the waiting, the trepidation, knowing what was to come as both God and man. Yet that never deterred Him from ministry. Healing the sick, reaching out to the outcasts, the poor, and the downtrodden.

We see the anguish of Gethsemane, consolidated into one passage (Matthew 26:36-46). We read about the extent of His suffering, asking the Father that this cup may be taken away from Him, and yet He saw it through. I cannot comprehend the weight of that calling and being obedient unto the point of death.

I understand now why the Lord reveals His plans incrementally to us, or why He will occasionally withhold the details. He knows us so deeply and intricately; He understands our limits and snapping points more than we know ourselves.

We’re not ready to handle the entire journey that lies ahead.

What He does give us is: the promise of His presence, His comfort, His provision, His protection, and His love.

I’ve been in what feels like multiple waiting rooms over the course of the past 12 years. As I stand on the cusp of another trip around the sun, there are three key learnings from the Divine waiting room:

1. Intimacy with Christ

There are layers to this, but the main component for me has been experiencing His many attributes. His goodness, His grace, His mercy, His omnipotence. Understanding firsthand how He is a Good Father.

Sitting with my guilt and shame, whilst applying the lens of the cross, has given me a renewed understanding of the depth of His forgiveness and restoration.

I’m constantly in awe of how attentive He is to my needs, my desires, and how He beautifully prepares the way for me.

I was recently thinking about how the Angel rolled the stone away for Mary and the other women who came to anoint the body (Matthew 28:2). Mary was worried about how they would gain access to the tomb – but He had already made a way.

2. Bearing Fruit

Matthew 7:16: “You will know them by their fruit.”

This verse warns of false prophets, however it’s also true for Believers, since we are called to bear fruit, to be set apart.

When our walk with Him matures and our faith grows, we experience a deeper sense of conviction regarding the power of the finished work. You can no longer deny what He did to save you, the weight of the price that was paid.

Your heart posture organically shifts to wanting to be like Him out of gratitude and love. It’s not fear-driven; it’s natural obedience to emulate Him. We know the byproduct is bearing fruit (Galatians 5:22–23).

3. Keep Your Eyes on the Cross

When we really consider the agony of the betrayal and His crucifixion, you have to wonder at the pipeline to eternity. How He set this in motion millennia before we walked the earth, your life priorities begin to recalibrate.

The things of this world start to melt away.

There is a renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2), because we no longer desire to conform to the ways of this world. Instead, we begin to store our treasure in heaven.

His Way is the Best Way

It’s yet another reminder about how His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways.

Surrendering control and accepting that I don’t need all the details or answers has been profoundly liberating. I have found that the peace that passes all understanding, is found in the midst of uncertainty and ambiguity – I’m resting in the confidence that He overcame the cross.

So whatever we face in this life, we are already victorious, and eternity is guaranteed.

What is bigger than conquering death itself?

A Call to Action

However excruciating your circumstances are today, eternity is promised to those who have been saved. Inexplicable joy awaits us.

Caring for a sick loved one has taught me many lessons about our own mortality. The fragility and transience of our lives. Tomorrow was never promised, but His grace and mercies are

So, fight the flesh daily. Remember that He is bigger than the problems of today, tomorrow, and the future.

When the waiting is frustrating, disappointing, tiring, and strenuous – He is still good and sovereign over your life.