When we hear the word "wait," we think of long lines at the grocery checkout, or traffic that's backed up for miles, or sitting in a doctor's office hoping that the test results are not what we've feared. You might be waiting for a child to get back on course, waiting to get an acceptance from a university, waiting for your career to start. We all go through waiting processes that can be very difficult.
The prophet Habakkuk saw his nation being violently and unjustly taken over by a ruthless enemy, and he asked God why He wasn't listening to their prayers, why He was silent and not saving them. God answered and told Habakkuk to "write down the revelation, but the revelation awaits an appointed time. Though it linger, wait for it; it will surely come and not delay." God made it clear that if we're going to bring forth the promises of God in our lives, we have to develop the patience that waits with expectation. When it's taking longer than we think, we can't start complaining and questioning Him.
We need to know that God is not making us wait to make it hard on us. He's causing us to develop our character. Patience is an inner strength that we all need to learn. Patience is what brings forth God's promises. The writer of Hebrews says, "For you have need of patient endurance, so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised" (Hebrews 10:36). We need to develop our patience, knowing that at the appointed time, God is going to get us to where we need to be as well as give us what we need.
But God doesn't say that we should sit around passively. He says we should be actively waiting for and pursuing Him, and preparing ourselves for what is coming. That's what I call "waiting well." The Scripture says, "See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains" (James 5:7). The farmer waits with great expectation, looking for the rain, watching for sprouts, believing for a harvest, even when he doesn't see anything happening. He knows it's just a matter of time and the soil will yield a harvest if he patiently endures the wait.
What are you waiting for? Be patient, and get prepared. God is more interested in what is being developed in you while you wait than what you're waiting for. Enjoy where you are right now. The appointed time will surely come. Wait well, knowing that through patient endurance you will bring forth every promise God has given you.