Waiting Isn't Wasted: Finding Purpose in Life's In-Between Moments

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a frustrating "in-between" season of life? Those times when your dreams seem derailed, your plans have fallen apart, and you're left wondering what God is doing? It's easy to view these periods as wasted time, but what if there's actually profound purpose in the waiting?

The story of Joseph in the Bible offers a powerful example of how God works in the overlap between devastating setbacks and divinely ordained opportunities. Joseph's journey from favored son to slave to prisoner to ruler of Egypt demonstrates that our labels of "good" or "bad" often fall short. God specializes in working in the messy middle, turning disasters into moments of holy design.

The crucial question is: Will we continue to walk in faith even when our carefully laid plans crumble? Will we trust God in the midst of the process, or will we give up hope?

It's tempting to live with a "someday" mentality, always looking to the future for our breakthrough moment. We dream of the day when everything will magically come together - the perfect job, the ideal relationship, financial stability. While having big dreams is healthy, fixating solely on "someday" causes us to overlook the value of today.

The truth is, what happens during the wait profoundly impacts what happens when the wait is over. Our response in the in-between shapes our readiness for what God has next.

Consider Joseph's response when his brothers sold him into slavery. There's a striking absence of recorded complaints or cries for vengeance. Instead, we see Joseph thriving as a slave in Potiphar's household. The Bible tells us "The LORD was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did" (Genesis 39:2).

Joseph didn't allow his past pain to define his present actions. He chose to be faithful right where he was, even when it seemed miles away from the dreams God had given him.

This highlights a critical truth: While God's sovereignty means His ultimate plan cannot be thwarted, our willingness to trust Him often determines our level of participation in that plan. The wait can either paralyze us or empower us.

It's easy to get stuck trying to change the past, reliving hurts and wishing things had gone differently. But you can't change what's already happened. The question is: what will you do with your present?

Difficulty can either crush us or propel us forward. History shows that many great leaders faced significant adversity in their youth. Instead of being limited by tragedy, they allowed it to fuel their ability to face even greater challenges.

If adversity can be a catalyst for success from a purely psychological standpoint, imagine the potential when we invite God into the equation! Faith, after all, is a verb. It's not enough to simply believe God has a plan - that belief must be accompanied by action.

James 2:17 reminds us that "faith without works is dead." You have to work while you wait. This doesn't mean frantically trying to make things happen in your own strength. Rather, it means being faithful in the small things, right where you are.

Joseph's story isn't ultimately about his personal success. It's a testament to God's faithfulness. Time and again, we see statements like "the Lord blessed" and "the Lord was with him." Joseph's determination and talent were important, but it was God's hand that elevated him from slave to ruler.

So how do we apply these truths to our own lives?

1. Shift your focus from "someday" to today. Ask God to show you the value and purpose in your current season.

2. Instead of fixating on past hurts, look for ways to be faithful right where you are. What small steps of obedience can you take?

3. Recognize that adversity can be fuel for growth. How might God be using your challenges to prepare you for something greater?

4. Put your faith into action. Even when you can't see immediate results, keep pushing forward in obedience to God.

5. Remember that your faithfulness is ultimately an expression of trust in God, not in your own abilities.

Perhaps you feel like you're treading water in the middle of a lake, your dreams capsized and sinking. You have a choice. You can keep trying to bail water with your hands, making little progress. Or you can start pushing towards the shore, even when it's difficult and progress seems slow.

Your situation may not be your fault. You may not be able to fully fix it on your own. But you can choose to say, "As far as it depends on me, I'm going to keep moving forward. Even if it's hard, even if I don't see results right away, I'm going to be faithful."

This forward motion isn't about having incredible self-confidence. It's an outward display of your absolute faith in God. It's saying, "God, I don't see how this makes a difference, but because I trust in You, I'm going to keep working even when I feel like giving up."

Today, you have an opportunity. Will you allow the wait to paralyze you, or will you let it empower you? Will you use this time to prepare for what God wants to do next? It's time to not just believe that God can work in your life, but to operate as if He is working in your life right now.

Your current circumstances may feel insignificant. Your efforts may seem to make little difference. But choose to work as if you're working for God Himself. For in the economy of His kingdom, no act of faithfulness is ever truly wasted.