Ever want to skip to the end? It’s tempting to want to bypass the process and cross the finish line. There is great purpose in the process, though. When we’re amid undesirable circumstances, we may anticipate jumping to the end. But we all know many things are out of our control, and it’s not quite that simple. We often must endure the beginning and middle before reaching our desired ending. As we wait, we can choose to look for the wonder of God and let go of the weight of the wait. Because even during the wait, God is growing something great.

Maybe you’re in the middle of a big decision. Perhaps you’re waiting for the next step that will bring a much-needed change in your life. Or maybe you are ready to graduate so you can be finished with late nights of studying. Or perhaps you’re someone like me who has tried to be a gardener, and you’re waiting to see green and growth.

Planting things reminds me of waiting. I’ve planted trees in my yard for the past couple of years. Lots of trees. It takes incredible endurance, especially when you don’t have a green thumb. I’ve watered. I’ve talked to them. I’ve prayed for them. I’ve watched some grow. And I’ve watched some die. It’s a process of sorrow and joy. But as I wait, anticipating them to grow up to be big and strong, I embrace the process. And I wait in anticipation for them to grow.

God doesn’t rush. He isn’t in a hurry, yet humans always seem to be running and rushing. Why do I rush? I want to hold true to His word – to be still and know He is God.

On more than one occasion, I can recount when I’ve been running, rushing to complete something, or trying to rush the process. Complete makes us feel accomplished, but God wants to accomplish something within us during the wait. There is much to embrace as we endure the middle. I love that God doesn’t rush things. He is steady, and His timing is always perfect.

Wait for the LORD, be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27:14

Take heart. Despite the rejection and violence surrounding David, he chose to see the goodness of God. He took heart, and he encourages us, too, to take heart. During the wait, take heart. Use the middle time to see God moving in the process, to learn and grow in the waiting.

What does “take heart” look like for you? We have the incredible opportunity to choose. To choose to see the wonder during our waiting. To sing shouts of joy to a faithful God who sees our tears and frustration. To decide to walk side by side with a loyal friend, Jesus, and walk with Him at His pace rather than our own.

Jesus will generously and kindly take the weight of the wait from you.

He says, “I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.”

Psalm 81:6

Even in the wait, growth is happening. We don’t always see it because maybe it’s still in the good soil and hasn’t sprouted yet. But just because we can’t see anything happening doesn’t mean growth is not occurring. The wait seems long sometimes, but it’s worth it.

He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

Psalm 126:6

Whether you’re in a joyful beginning, trying to hold on in the middle, or are close to seeing the finish line, God is with you for the entire process. In the weeping, He is there. In the sowing, He is there. As we endure the process of it all, growth is happening. And we can rejoice for the time coming when we will have the sheaves to carry.