Waiting for God to Open Doors
I have missed open doors in the past. Doors of opportunity aren’t always open – yet. There is often a waiting period before promises come to pass. A time of preparation. This is true of people in the Bible too:
Moses spent forty years in the wilderness, feeling as though he had blown his big chance of helping his people.
Joseph spent eighteen years rumbling around in Pharoah’s prison until the cupbearer suddenly remembered he was good at interpreting dreams.
Elizabeth was barren her whole life until the time came that God needed a voice crying in the wilderness.
And it wasn’t until the fullness of time that Jesus was born as a baby so He could deliver us from sin.
You and I get hints of a dream too. We just get a glimpse of something—like a vapor that passes by and taps us on the shoulder—just beautiful enough to capture our imagination—and loud enough to speak to our seeking heart. But, many times we have to wait because the door isn’t open yet.
We may feel the nudge to go into ministry or on the mission field and then nothing happens; or life happens and we get detoured.
We feel led to speak to women and begin to get the training we need, but years pass before we ever step up to the stage.
God’s timing is important because it’s in the waiting that God prepares us for the promise [Click to Tweet]
What to Do While You Wait for Open Doors [Click to Tweet]
What can we do while we wait other than tap our fingers and sigh? We know how frustrating that can be. What does God expect of us? I can think of a few things from my own waiting journey. Maybe it will prompt us to think of others that you can share in the comments.
While waiting God wants us to be:
…patient and allow Him to prepare us for the task
…aware of what He is doing around us
…careful that we don’t try to take over His job
…focused on what He said HE will do
…do what we can to prepare for when the door eventually opens
…continue to give thanks and trust Him for the dream
As we allow God to help us to see His big picture, the miracle becomes greater. He plants the idea and then begins to bring about growth in us, and the need in others so that destiny is achieved.
And, the key to seeing the open doors is an intimate relationship with Jesus. [Click to Tweet]
Do you have a story of how God prepared you for His open door? Please share it in the comments and join the conversation.
He’s going to open your door soon,
Jeanne
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Love this post, Jeanne. I’m currently experiencing His leading by paying attention to the doors He opens and closes. Yes, sometimes it’s difficult to hold back and not make things happen according to MY plan, but I’m seeing yet again that His timing is perfect–just as it continues to be through this current journey. After watching His will unfold in His timing and His leading, I’m praising God for His active orchestration of the whole situation. What a mighty God we serve!
Vonda, thanks for sharing this about waiting for open doors. It is hard. And, it is a lifelong journey that screams “relationship.” We want His direction, it’s the waiting that is the hard part. Blessings on your situation too. I know He will lead.
I love this, Jeanne. It’s tempting to think waiting is only about the ending when often it’s more about the middle. So often I am the purpose behind God’s pauses. This can be so hard… What can I add to your list? He’s whispered to my heart to delight in Him, in the places I am, now. Live where you are. Practice delighting in it and delighting in Him there. Thank-you, my friend!
Rebecca, that is so huge. So often we are looking ahead instead of living the moment. There is so much blessing in today. Thanks for your sharing your thoughts. Waiting is never easy but it is always for a purpose.