Being a writer involves a lot of waiting. It is can be weeks–usually months–from the time you submit a manuscript to an editor until the time you hear back. As a not-so-naturally-patient person, this part of the writer’s life has taken some getting used to for me.
Recently, when an editor was interested in one of my manuscripts and asked to see the whole thing, I eagerly sent it off.
Three months turned into six… and I wondered if my work was on her desk waiting to be read or if she already decided whether she liked it or not. (No negativity towards editors here; they are busy and, after years of being a writer, I know that time is just part of the process.)
One day, after the six-month mark had passed, I woke up and prayed for an answer to come about my manuscript—that day. I was prepared either way, I promised God. I just needed to know… so I could stop waiting.
I grabbed my Bible and randomly opened it to Isaiah 30:18:
“…For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”
Hmm. Blessed are those who wait…
I needed the reminder, but I still didn’t want to wait anymore. I read on:
“But those who wait for 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
Another waiting verse.
Not exactly what I wanted. Stubbornly, I kept reading, looking for something along the lines of, “Your wait will be over soon!”
I came to Isaiah 42:9:
“See the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.”
New things?
I became hopeful. Maybe the editor would call and say she loved my novel. I closed my Bible, went about my day…
and got no answer on my manuscript.
Feeling sorry for myself, I had a little pity party. “I’m sooo tired of waiting,” I whined. “I just want to know what the plan is.” And, suddenly, as if God was whispering directly to my heart, these words came to me:
I AM the plan. You just need to follow me, and wait.
I didn’t hear them out loud, but the words felt like they had been spoken inside of me. Quickly, I grabbed my Bible and re-read Isaiah 42… verse 6:
“I have taken you by the hand and kept you…”
and I realized, here I was complaining about waiting on God, but most of the time, He’s not only taken me by the hand, He’s been waiting for me.
For me to follow Him with my whole heart, for me to trust him when I don’t get answers, for me to set aside my own agenda, for me to rest in the waiting…
for me to rest in Him.
I read through to verse 9 and again was filled with hope: “… new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.”
But this time I wasn’t hopeful I’d get the answer I wanted on my manuscript.
Instead, I had a new hope about whatever God had planned. And I realized that waiting is the before that this verse talks about. I was in the before; new things were to come… and I didn’t have to know exactly what that meant.
I just needed to trust and wait.
What about you? Have you been waiting for an answer on something in your life?
by Genny at MyCup2Yours
Leave a Comment
Lindsey van Niekerk says
Wow, Genny!
This was EXACTLY the word I needed for like…RIGHT NOW!
Thank you….I don’t know how to say more than that right now…but it is a BIG OLE KNOCK-MY-SOCKS OFF Thank you!
Betty Draper says
Isaiah 30:18: also state that God longs to be gracious to us…He waits on high to show compassion….wonderful verse for the waiting room.. this helps us go on with every day life knowing He is longing to be gracioius in His timing, for His time is the best time to receive his graciouness.
We have been in the process of moving to California from Kentucky, to start a new ministry for New Tribes Mission. This waiting has not been east at times, it’s caused friction between my husband and I because we were opposite wave length about a few things. During this waiting we have finally got on the same page. People keep asking us, now when are you moving, we answer, not sure yet. Next question is: have you got a place to live yet…well no…but He will have what we need when it’s time to move. Some have told us to our face, God must not want you to move since you don’t know when yet and then add, just stay here we could sure use you here. A few understand a faith walk, the confusion it can cause but also it’s a time of faith building. Waiting is made harder by focuing on ourselves and our circumstances, it’s made easier trusting His to work it all out.
Great post Genny..we are moving to Simi Valley, Ca. Do you live close, would love to connect face to face with you after God gives us the date to move.
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) says
So So true. Thank you for this important reminder. My husband and I were definitely in a time of waiting when trying to conceive a child. During all of our fertility treatments I had peace in God’s plan but I found myself (at the same time) becoming impatient. I needed answers. Would this cycle of treatments work? Yes or no? I needed to know now; I didn’t want to wait another few weeks to find out. You get the idea. Finally, I woke up and realized what you so eloquently quoted in this post… ” here I was complaining about waiting on God, but most of the time, He’s not only taken me by the hand, He’s been waiting for me.” Once I realized I was directly involved in the process too, it became easier to truly rely and wait on the Lord, 100%. Thanks for sharing your story today!!
Christina says
Thank you for this! As soon as I saw the title on Facebook, I nodded my head and said, “Yes I need this right now.” I too fight God almost daily on this waiting game I am on…waiting on so many levels, including what direction my writing is going to go. Thank you for sharing this! We must wait for Him and love Him in the process 🙂 Blessings to you!
Stacy says
My husband and I have been waiting for over a year to move, waiting on God to do His part, and doing what He asked. It is hard. But thank you for sharing
Sarah says
I too have been waiting and waiting, impatiently. 🙂 I am trying to find peace in the wait as I know that is why I have this wait so much, trying to teach this lady to wait on HIM.
Thanks for sharing the verses! Those are very helpful to think back on. ♥
Kelly says
Um… Yeah 🙂
Becky M says
Thank you, when my husband and I moved here (following retirement) God had both of us very busy – my husband building a Church (physically building a building). God had me out speaking to women’s groups in the state we had just left. Now . . . we are waiting and it seems forever. I am usually the impatient one, but even my husband mentioned that he wants to do . . . but God hasn’t yet told him what. Perhaps my husband and I need to examine if God is waiting on us for something. Thanks again.
ToniaBooker says
LOVED this post! I really appreciated your insight that God is waiting on you, He is always so much more interested in character building!! I also loved how with each verse speaking to you, it wasn’t necessarily connected to the manuscript answer closely following.
Thanks for trusting and sharing and being transparent.
You write beautifully.
Amy Hunt says
Oh your words spoke. So deeply!
These especially: “He’s been waiting for me.
For me to follow Him with my whole heart, for me to trust him when I don’t get answers, for me to set aside my own agenda, for me to rest in the waiting…
for me to rest in Him.”
YES! I need to trust in the waiting, trust Him and trust in the refining and strengthening, even here.
Rich blessings as you continue to learn this, too.
Kathy @ In Quiet Places says
Psalm 25:4-5
4 Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
These verses are among my favorite waiting verses. When waiting is hard, it is always scripture that keeps me grounded, encouraged, and strengthened. God has been faithful to renew my strength as I continue to trust and wait on Him, whether it is writing, or other issues of life.
Enjoyed your post!
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect says
How can I complain about waiting on Him when more often than not, He’s waiting on me? Ohhhhh, that is such a good point. And one I’d never realized on my own. As someone who is NOT patient and has been waiting for a LONG time, I needed this word. Thank you.
Melanie {Adorkable Life} says
my heart was aching this morning and this was a word from the Lord. Thank you.
Julie Sunne says
Oh, yes, waiting–my worse nemesis but just what God uses to draw many of us nearer to Him. As a writer, I too, struggle with this aspect of the business. It is about Jesus and following Him, not about the publishing or whatever other thing we are waiting on! Thanks for the inspiration, Genny.
Darlene says
I, too, have found myself waiting, praying and waiting. It is a hard thing to do, but God is good and will always be there with us while we wait.
Genny says
Thank you all for reading, and for your heartfelt comments. It is so encouraging to hear others’ stories of waiting too. And I love the reminder that God cares about character more than timing – thank you! 🙂
Lori says
You spoke to me. I’m an aspiring novelist, finishing up my first Christian romance to send it, and start the waiting game too. I will keep my eyes on my Lord and Savior and let HIM take care of the rest. thank you!
Jess says
Oh how I needed these words today! 20 months ago I lost my husband to cancer. He was 25 and I was 28. Just this week I had one of those pity parties myself because I really thought by now I’d have found love again. I’m 30 now and something about that number has made my patience grow thin. Thank you for this reminder!’
Krissie says
This was so good. I seem to need this reminder DAILY. Thank you for this!!
Colleen says
Like all of you, I have been in the waiting. And through this time God taught me trust. It is an ongoing lesson! Once again I find myself in the wait, and your words of encouragement were the reminder I needed; that God’s plan is worth waiting on, and that trusting Him is the pathway to peace.
Rhonda J. Smith says
Ginny,
Thank you for sharing the eternal perspective that God gave you. We do need to wait on Him because He is all we need.
Rhonda J. Smith says
Genny,
I’m sorry I typed your name wrong.
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Jennifer Castellanos says
“I AM the plan. You just need to follow me, and wait.” I needed to hear this today. Thank you for this encouraging word.
When waiting IS the plan… :: Genny Heikka says
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Christan says
Thank you for this dose of perspective and this ever-important reminder that He is the treasure – not His gifts. I am waiting, too… waiting for God to sanctify me to a place of deep forgiveness. The waiting is so very hard, and yet I’m certain that He will heal and that His grace will one day help me extend grace to others. Thank you again.
Summer says
Thank you for sharing! I am definitely in a waiting place right now and have become frustrated by it. What a reminder that I need to place everything in His hands and trust Him.