Anticipation: Your Time Will Come

In the tree just outside our living room window a mama bird sits on her nest. We rarely see her leave as she anticipates the birth of her babies in the coming weeks. 

Her current task is simply being at rest and yet it did not begin that way.

For several days we observed the rustling of the leaves as she flew in and out bringing a variety of twigs and other debris that would form her intricately woven nest. The busyness of her work is now rewarded by this moment of stillness.

Yet, I wonder if she recognizes it as such. For with the excitement of a new life to come her heart may continue to race with anticipation. 

Even so… she waits for the time will come.

I remember the first time I attended the Speak Up Conference and I liken my journey to that of this sweet mama sparrow. 

The efforts that came before this event took time and hard work. Creating one sheets, developing two lengthy proposals, business cards, updating my website, and so much more which included shopping for cute shoes. As I placed all the elements (minus the shoes) in envelopes, I was determined to be noticed. If my content didn’t impress, surely my presentation would make them take a second look. 

I attended the conference. I was encouraged by my appointments. I did all the things that were required. But when the time came to go home, I found myself waiting…wondering…and even doubting that I had really heard God correctly.

“God, if you have called me to write then why is it so quiet? When will my time come?”

I was not able to answer the question then, for it was in the waiting the real work was to be done. 

Just like that mama sparrow who had to wait for her babies to develop before they hatched, so too, I had to wait for God to develop in me that which was needed. 

Often we walk into our calling with ideas of what we believe God is going to do.  Surely He wants my dream to come true for He has asked this of me. But what we find is in the waiting there is a better dream emerging, for it is His dream giving birth in our lives. 

Three years of preparing my heart, cultivating my relationships, and refining my message was necessary before the signing of a contract came. Since then, everything moved full speed ahead. 

As Mary DeMuth says, “Sometimes it takes God a long time to do something suddenly.” And this was certainly the case. And when the time had come His plan was beyond my wildest expectations. 

The time will come for you, my friend, although you may have to wait and be still for a moment. But let me reassure you…you are in good company in the waiting.

Luke 2:6 records the greatest “waiting” revealed in the history of this world. Luke writes, “The time came for the baby to be born…”

The most anticipated event had finally arrived since the moment God spoke the words, “Let there be light,” and the heavens burst into existence. The time had indeed come and you know what?  It was nothing like the people expected. As a result, so many missed the Messiah.

The landscape of the Old Testament is filled with words of hope and wonder of this child who would be born.  

The prophets spoke to this moment with expectancy. 

The enemy planned the destruction of the Savior with vengeance. 

The people longed to see the promise fulfilled with anticipation.

Finally, after 400 years of silence, the time came and Jesus entered the world to an unlikely couple in an even more unlikely place. 

God’s plan was divinely orchestrated to capture the hearts of the ones who would be used to turn the world upside-down with the story of the gospel…at just the right time.

And the same is true for you! 

Wherever you are within your calling, come this year to Speak Up knowing that God is working everything out according to the extraordinary plan He has for you.  

Be prepared!

Be ready to receive!

Be watching for Him to work!

and if things don’t happen right away…

Be still!

For one day…your time will come!

Question:  How long did you have to wait before God opened the door for you to speak, write, or lead?  Please comment on where you are in that journey now.

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