Have you ever gone through something in life and needed to feel Jesus close to you? You didn’t only need Him, but also wanted Him near. To feel comforted, reassured, and safe. Perhaps, there is something that you’ve been praying for. You have been praying, crying out, waiting, and waiting some more. And your soul needs rest and to find comfort in the waiting season.
Jesus said,
”Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” – John 14: 1-4
During the time of waiting, God is calling you unto Him.
To rest in Him. To get to know Him. To experience His love. To receive His peace.
When Thomas said, ”Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?
Jesus responded with, ”I am the way, the truth, and the life.” -John 14:6
After comforting His disciples, Jesus promises them the Holy Spirit.
So while Jesus may not be here in flesh, His Spirit is with you always.
But the most comforting thing to me about this Scripture is, ”And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am.” The fact that He didn’t abandon us as orphans, but will come back to get us.
He is not leaving you in your pain, suffering, or struggle. He is not leaving you in your doubt, worry, or fear.
Anytime you feel like He’s too far away, just call His name, and He will be there in spirit.
How to Wait Well
If you are waiting on an answered prayer, take this time as an opportunity to go to Him.
”Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden (burdened), and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
After comforting the disciples and promising them the Holy Spirit in John 14, Jesus followed with three commands in John 15: Abide in Him. Bear Fruit. Love Each Other.
So, I encourage you, while waiting, to not get caught up focusing on the very thing you are waiting for. During this time, partner with the Holy Spirit until Jesus comes back to get you. And trust that He is faithful to His promises.
If you have had problems with anxiety, fear, depression, etc. I recommend reading my blog post titled: He Will Give You Rest, where I share my experiences with both depression and anxiety and how God helped me overcome them both. Read here.
What to Do in The Waiting Season?
Abide
”Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4
Abide means to remain connected. Staying connected in an intimate, close relationship with Jesus is vital in this walk with Him. If you abide in Him and He abides in you, transformation happens.
The more you remain in Him, you will continue to grow spiritually. You will receive wisdom, knowledge, and discernment. When you stay connected to Jesus, His presence goes with you, protecting you along the way.
The more you abide in Jesus and He in you, fruit starts pouring out of you.
Most importantly, when you are connected to the Vine, you are connected to the Source of life. Jesus.
Bear Fruit
”You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.” John 15:16a
When Jesus commanded us to bear fruit, He meant for us to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
This fruit is the nine character traits of God, and we are chosen to live in a way that these traits are evident in our lives. Why? To show those who are not yet saved who Jesus is. To be a light in the dark world. And to demonstrate the love of God to others.
But we won’t be able to bear this kind of fruit without the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised His disciples after comforting them.
Take a moment to read my blog post titled: The Vine and The Branches.
Love Each Other
”My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15: 12
Be compassionate, kind, patient, and merciful.
Why?
Because Jesus showed us love when we didn’t love Him. He laid down His life for you and me, and is still waiting on some of us to lay down our lives for Him. Jesus was compassionate when we were in spiritual bondage. He was kind when our hearts were hard. He was patient when we were stubborn, and Jesus was full of mercy when we didn’t deserve it. And Jesus is always faithful.
Loving someone isn’t accepting their sin, but choosing to love them right where they are. Loving them is showing grace when needed, while proclaiming the Gospel of truth. The truth that will set a soul free.
Connecting The Dots
Jesus doesn’t always want you to come to Him just because, but to receive what you need, then go and pour into someone else. You may come to Him needing rest, and He will also give you joy. You may ask for strength, and you may also receive peace. You may just want to feel His love, but He will also give you the ability to show that same love.
Jesus didn’t want His disciples to sit and wait until He came back. He called them to Go and Bear Fruit while they wait. Not alone, but with the Holy Spirit.
You and I are called to do the same.
”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27
Monique ST
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