Finding Purpose in the Waiting: Lessons from Moses' Journey

In our fast-paced world of instant gratification and constant progress, the concept of waiting can feel foreign and frustrating. We're accustomed to microwaved meals, instant communication, and rapid advancements in technology. But what happens when our spiritual journey doesn't align with this breakneck pace? What do we do when God calls us to wait?

The story of Moses provides a powerful illustration of the transformative power of waiting. Here was a man who went from palace to pasture, from majesty to manure. Once destined for the Egyptian throne, Moses found himself tending sheep in the wilderness of Midian. It was a dramatic fall from grace, a season of obscurity that lasted 40 long years.

But it was in this seemingly barren season that God appeared to Moses in the burning bush. This encounter changed everything. It was a moment where the divine intersected with the ordinary, where the eternal God spoke to a man who probably felt forgotten.

This story challenges us to reconsider our perspective on waiting. Often, we view waiting as a roadblock to our purpose, a frustrating delay in God's plan. But what if waiting is actually the chrysalis where God shapes us into the person, He needs us to be?

Consider this: Your season of waiting might actually be creating the person God has been waiting for.

It's a paradigm shift that invites us to embrace the process rather than fixate on the progress. In our culture of comparison, it's easy to judge our journey against others' highlight reels. We see others' successes and wonder why we're not there yet. But God's timeline is not our timeline, and His ways are higher than ours.

So how do we wait well? How do we find purpose in the pause? Here are two key insights from Moses' story:

1. Establish Your Meeting Place
Moses encountered God at Mount Horeb (also known as Sinai). This became a significant location, not just for this initial encounter, but for future pivotal moments in Israel's history. It reminds us of the importance of creating consistent space to meet with God.

In our waiting seasons, it's tempting to drift away from God, to try to make things happen on our own. But it's precisely in these moments that we need to draw closer to Him. Create a daily "burning bush" moment - a time and place where you intentionally seek God's presence. It might feel unproductive, but it's in these moments that God often speaks most clearly.

2. Adjust Your Attitude
When God appeared to Moses, He instructed him to remove his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. This wasn't just about respect; it was about perspective. God was saying, "The steps you take from now on are not your own anymore."

Waiting requires a shift in attitude. It's an opportunity to surrender our timeline, our expectations, and our methods to God. It's a chance to say, "God, I trust that You're working even when I can't see it."

The Psalmist encourages us to "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8). This invitation to experience God's goodness isn't always about receiving what we want. Sometimes, it's about finding joy and contentment in God's presence, even in the midst of unfulfilled desires or delayed promises.

It's worth pondering: If God offered to show you a side of Himself that no one else has ever seen, but it required an extended period of waiting, would you stay or would you run? Our answer to this question reveals a lot about our priorities and our view of God.

The Israelites' journey out of Egypt provides another powerful lesson. While we often focus on their destination (the Promised Land), God's primary concern was that they would worship Him. He told Moses to bring the people to Mount Sinai to worship. This reminds us that sometimes God is more interested in cultivating our relationship with Him than in rushing us to our next destination.

Remember, delay is not denial. Just because God isn't moving at the pace we expect doesn't mean He's not working. Often, it's in the waiting that God does His deepest work in us. He uses these seasons to refine our character, strengthen our faith, and align our hearts with His purposes.

So if you find yourself in a season of waiting today, take heart. You're in good company. Moses waited 40 years. Abraham waited 25 years for Isaac. Joseph waited 13 years from his dreams to their fulfillment. Jesus Himself waited 30 years before beginning His public ministry.

Don't rush past this season. Instead, lean into it. Use this time to deepen your roots in God's love. Establish your meeting place with Him. Adjust your attitude to one of expectant trust. And remember, the God who calls you is faithful. He will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).