Finding Purpose in Waiting When You’re in the Yes, But Not Quite Season of Faith
How many of you have ever felt like you’re stuck in the waiting room of life, and are seeking to trust God through waiting? You pray. You hope. You know deep down that God whispered a yes over your life or your dream, but it hasn’t shown up yet. That’s what I call a Finding Purpose in Suffering with Job and Joseph's Stories for Today. It’s where Finding God in Hard Times: How Grace and Faith Carry Us Through helps us see waiting as holy preparation. And let me tell you, friend, you are not alone.
What Does Finding Purpose in Waiting Really Mean?
I remember sitting on my couch, completely overwhelmed, crying out to God because I felt the tug toward something new, something bigger. I thought the waiting was a sign that maybe I had gotten it wrong. Does this sound familiar? Maybe you felt the nudge – to write, to lead, to step out – but you’re still stuck between the promise and the fulfillment. That awkward hallway? That’s where God does some of His best work. But finding purpose in waiting can feel impossible when you’ve put in the work and still haven’t seen the answer.
It’s not about performing for God or reaching a certain level before He uses us, deepening relationship with God. If He called you, He’s already qualified you. Sometimes, we need to let go of our conditions for moving forward. That’s what turns waiting from wasted time into holy preparation.
Letting Go of the Myth of Perfection
Here’s the thing. We wait for perfectionism in faith. We tell ourselves we’ll step out when we feel ready – when we’ve healed enough, learned enough, or figured it all out. But God isn’t looking for perfection. He’s looking for willing hearts, even ones that are scared or unsure. Finding purpose in waiting isn’t about getting cleaned up first. It’s about saying yes before we see the whole plan.
Why Does God Let Us Sit in the Yes, But Not Quite, trusting God with family decisions?
I used to believe that a delay meant I’d missed God’s will, Dealing With Doubt as a Christian When No One Else Believes in Your Calling. Now, I see that delay isn’t the same as denial. In fact, waiting has its own purpose. Sometimes, it prepares us for what’s next. Other times, it protects us or gives us space to grow. There are lessons in the in-between. The truth? Finding purpose in waiting means trusting that every yes, but not quite season matters, even when we don’t see the outcome yet.
The Small Steps Matter
Can I tell you something? When God called me to ministry, I fought it. I’d never spoken on a stage. I’d only written small devotionals (and even those started with borrowed words). Yet, every small yes I gave – each email, each study group, every little chance to trust – ended up shaping my purpose. I didn’t know it then, but God uses those ordinary acts of obedience in the yes, but not quite season.
- Say yes even when you feel unqualified
- Start small and let God expand the rest
- Celebrate those little victories as signs you’re moving forward
How to Find Purpose in Waiting Without Losing Hope
Let’s be honest. Some days, finding purpose in waiting feels like a test you can’t pass. You see other people moving ahead. You wonder if you’re missing something critical. But every delay can be an invitation to discover more of God’s heart and your own calling.
Scripture for the Yes, But Not Quite Seasons
When I look back, I see the threads of God’s faithfulness. I think of verses like 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” (CSB) That doesn’t just apply when we’re broken; it covers us in the waiting too. Those places where we feel invisible, or set aside, or even passed over – that’s where God is at work, weaving strength into our surrender.
Practical Ways to Embrace Purpose While You Wait
- Get honest with God about your frustration. He can handle your messy prayers.
- Reflect on past yes, but not quite moments. What did you learn? How did they shape your perspective?
- Let community support you. Sometimes our friends see the good rising up in us before we see it ourselves.
- Write down the things you hear God saying, even if they don’t make sense yet.
- Look for ways to serve where you are now, even while you wait for the next season.
What If You Feel Disqualified While You Wait?
Somewhere along the way, we convince ourselves that our mistakes, setbacks, or doubts take us out of the game. But your story matters. Your willingness matters. Romans 8:11 says the Spirit of God, the same Spirit that raised Jesus, lives in us. That’s what qualifies you, not your experiences or skill set.
It’s okay to show up messy. Sometimes the most meaningful moments start in the middle of our uncertainty. Obedience, even in fear, counts. That’s a community I want to be part of – one that celebrates small yeses and encourages each other to keep stepping forward, even if we stumble on the way.
The Blessing of Imperfect Progress
In our podcast episode, I shared about writing 100 devotionals before I felt ready to call myself a writer. I didn’t have a ten-year plan or a book deal. I just did the next thing. God honored that. Every simple act, every unfinished sentence, became part of my story. Looking back now, I see that finding purpose in waiting was really about being patient in small things, and trusting God to do the big things.
Stories of Hope From the Waiting Room
Let me tell you. The yes, but not quite seasons in my life didn’t feel significant while I was living them. But God keeps bringing them back – reminding me that the hallway is never wasted. He’s building character, stretching faith, and teaching me to lean more on Him and less on my own plans.
- Maybe you’ve changed jobs, or lost one you loved. God's still working.
- Maybe you’re praying for a family, for healing, for a relationship to be restored. The waiting is not wasted.
- Maybe your dream shifted, or it feels paused. God hasn’t forgotten you.
Every “not yet” is full of God’s grace. He’s for you. He is not in a rush, so we don’t need to be either. In our community, we remind each other that each small yes matters – even when we don’t see the results right away.
Keep Showing Up – Your Purpose is Unfolding
Some days, you might only take one step. Some days, you might just rest and trust. That’s still movement. The promise hasn’t changed. The calling still stands. Finding purpose in waiting is about showing up, believing that obedience in the little things matters.
Hang onto hope, friend. God is writing something bigger than you can imagine. Your willingness plants seeds for the next season – for you and for the people around you. We are in this together, supporting one another as we walk out the yes, but not quite seasons that shape us the most.
Encouragement for Your Yes, But Not Quite Season
I want you to hear this: you are already qualified for the work God is giving you. You don’t need a perfect plan or finish line to find meaning. God is using this waiting time to heal, strengthen, and prepare you. Keep saying yes. Keep finding purpose in waiting, even if you feel like it counts for nothing. I promise those small, unseen moments matter more than you think. God’s not finished with you. And neither is your story.
If you want to hear more about this, listen to our recent podcast episode “The Yes, but Not Quite Season.” I’d love to hear what God is teaching you while you wait. Share your story with our community, or reach out to me directly. You never know how your obedience could unlock hope for someone else. Together, let’s keep showing up, even in the waiting. That is where life is transformed.
Want to put these perspectives into practice? Be sure to listen to the full episode and join our community discussion. Remember, every small yes matters. You are loved, seen, and chosen – even in your yes, but not quite season.
