If you’ve ever been criticized for waiting on God’s timing rather than forging ahead with what may seem like the best laid plans, then today’s declaration is for you.

Why would waiting on God be shameful? Well…  when God’s direction runs contrary to common sense, when obeying God looks like passing up an opportunity, when yielding to God’s schedule looks like procrastination, people may judge our inaction. Being still can look more like sitting around than like following God.

I’m a doer. I prefer the straightest, fastest route between point A and point B. God on the other hand, seems to like the slow, scenic route. God’s timeframe is based on an eternal perspective. We tend to compile our to-do lists based on pragmatic deadlines. David’s prayer in Psalm 25 can help us adjust our schedules to align with God’s will.

David asks for three things in Psalm 25:4-5.

1. Show me your ways.
   
2. Teach me your paths.
   
3. Lead me in your truth.
   

This list of requests may sound like the prayer of someone ready to move, but if that were true, David wouldn’t end his prayer with these words, “On You I wait all the day.”

I almost always want to move and rarely want to wait, but I’m working on being a doer when it comes to doing the will of Go—especially when His will is to wait. Being still doesn’t look very productive to me. Stillness may appear less honorable than jumping in and taking action, and I think that’s why Psalm 25:2 says, “O my God, I trust in you; let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me.”

Waiting on God doesn’t mean we surrender ground or fall behind. It means we stand firm and trust God for a come-from-behind victory. When God calls on you to wait, others may question, mock or condemn your hesitation, but you have no reason to be ashamed. Your patient obedience in the waiting means that you will be perfectly positioned when God says it’s time to move.

The first ten episodes of my video podcast, “Find Joy” walk you through my book, Longing to Belong, and the entire series is now available for viewing. Learn more on my website at shawnamariebryant.com.

This week’s scripture: Psalm 25:1-5