It has been said that “there is no great achievement that is not the result of patient working and waiting” (J. G. Holland). For example, Moses knew he was to be used to deliver the Israelites from Egypt (Acts 7:25) but had to be trained for 40 years by tending his father-in-law’s sheep so he could become humble (Acts 7:30-34). David waited for years until the Lord made him king of Israel. Israel waited hundreds of years for a prophetic voice and were finally given John the Baptist. Daniel waited a lifetime for his people to be restored to their land from Babylon.
No matter how ready we are, the Lord has His time on when He wants us to step into greater service. It is important that we not give up. Mordecai’s life changed overnight (Esther 5:9-6:4). Lincoln went from an also-ran to president far more quickly than most could have imagined possible. As Thomas a Kempis said, “God often gives in one brief moment that which he has for a long time denied.”
How can we wait? One way is to build up our confidence in Him (Ps 46:1) through such things as reading the Bible (Rom 15:4) and being in fellowship with His people (Heb 10:24-25). We can remember that God is able to raise us up at the proper time if we don’t grow weary in doing what is right (Gal 6:9). We may look for a person or people in our lives who believe in His plan for us enough to encourage us while we wait (1 Cor 16:18, NLT). Furthermore, we can always ask the Lord to comfort and encourage us by sending us a friend (2 Cor 7:6). Let us not give up.
Instead of being timid, learn to be appropriately bold.