Waiting Well: Finding Purpose in the Pause

Advent is a season rich with meaning—a time for us to embrace the tension between the promise of God’s kingdom and its full realization. This time of year invites us to pause, reflect, and prepare. In a culture that prizes instant gratification, the art of waiting can feel counterintuitive. Yet, waiting well is not only essential to Advent but also transformative to our spiritual journey.

The Land Between Promise and Fulfillment

“The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Life often feels like a series of waits. Perhaps you’ve waited in a line on Black Friday or camped out for a grand opening. These experiences can feel like exercises in frustration—a kind of self-imposed torture. But God’s waiting works differently. He uses it to shape us, building patience, resilience and faith. Waiting well is about trusting the process and the One who holds time itself in His hands.

Why Does God Ask Us to Wait?

1. Developing Patience: Waiting refines our ability to remain steadfast without becoming overwhelmed.

2. Building Resilience: It strengthens us to face disappointments and bounce back with renewed hope.

3. Encouraging Reflection: Waiting creates space for deep focus, helping us examine our hearts and align with God’s will.

4. Fostering Trust: In uncertainty, waiting invites us to surrender control and deepen our faith in God’s promises.

Advent reminds us that there is purpose in the pause. Grounded in the rich traditions of Scripture, it becomes a season to actively anticipate the fulfillment of God’s promises. In the waiting, we align ourselves with a rhythm that is countercultural, choosing stillness and focus over chaos and distraction.

We put the brakes on asking why and looking for quick fixes. Instead we ask growth-oriented questions such as What are you teaching me, Lord? What are you preparing me for? What’s your invitation here?

Practical Steps for Waiting Well

Waiting well is not passive; it’s an active engagement with God and His promises. Here are some ways to make this Advent season meaningful:

• Slow Down: Resist the urge to rush. Create moments of stillness to reflect on God’s presence.

• Spend Less: Focus on what truly matters, shifting your attention from material gifts to spiritual blessings.

• Give More: Offer your time, love, and resources to those in need.

• Create Space: Say no to distractions so you can say yes to meaningful moments with God and others.

• Prioritize Relationships: Invest in time with loved ones, deepening connections that reflect Christ’s love.

• Release and Receive: Let go of control and allow God’s promises to unfold in His timing.

• Reflect and Anticipate: Meditate on the hope we have in Christ and the promise of His second coming.

This Advent season may our waiting be intentional, filled with hope and trust in God’s perfect timing. Let us wait well by finding purpose in the pause.

—Tim

P.S. - In-between times are perfect for working with a transitions coach. Let’s have a conversation. Schedule a call

Walking in the Way

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us… -Hebrews 12:1b

In life I’m a walker, not a runner. Regardless, the thought I want to convey is the same. I’ve learned that walking takes perseverance too. I’ve been reflecting on my relationship with uncertainty, especially in seasons when there has been little to no sense of direction. Have you ever been in one of those slumps? Are you in the middle of one currently? How are you framing your view of the unknown? Through the lens of curiosity or resistance?

The scripture is clear. The race (road, path, journey, calling, assignment) is marked out for us by God. We sometimes think we’ve missed the signpost. Could it be that the signs are just more spaced out than we originally thought? Or hidden from plain sight in order to entice the seeker in us? And could all of this be His “way” of nurturing our faith and growing us into people of character who know how to endure?

This idea is not unlike my experience of walking the way of the pilgrim, the El Camino de Santiago. My wife and I completed a 100 mile stretch of the trail in 2022. In just over a month from now, we return for more, albeit a different section of the trail…this time leading a group of like-minded couples.

The scallop shell symbol, famous along the Camino, appears once in a while along the way to ease the mind of the questioning pilgrim. This appeals to the planner in me. There is something that comes alive in me upon the sight of it. Yes, I say to myself, you are heading in the right direction. Who doesn’t like a bit of confirmation?

Walking the Camino somewhere in Northern Spain, 2022

However, there are long stretches of the trail void of markers. One does not always get to see the sign in front of them shouting “this is the way” (Mandalorian creed anyone?). But just often enough the pilgrim will spot the scallop shell etched into wood, dirt or stone, a welcome assurance that they are heading in the right direction. 

In our faith journeys, God gives us markers along the way, signposts to encourage us and give us a sense of confidence that he is leading and directing. Not all of the time, remind you. The signs can be few and far between. Nothing predictable or formulaic. A God Who inspires wonder and mystery will have none of that. Nonetheless, He’s good at what he does in forming the human soul. He knows what we need and when.

Personally, I’ve navigated large gaps and spaces of uncertainty, and plenty confusion to go with it. I’ve longed for clarity in those seasons. Can you relate? I’ve missed a few signs along the way, having to retrace my steps. I’ve cried out for clarity. Maybe I should have been praying for trust instead?

This is why I love doing what I do as a coach, walking with others through transition seasons. So much of the process is about becoming OK with uncertainty, learning to trust. It’s the questions which drive curiosity. 100% confidence all the time loses its luster and produces stagnation. 

We walk in life with the expectancy that the next mile-marker will confirm what we hope for. Not full clarity. Not total confidence. Certainly not completion (Is the real race ever really completed?). But a firm conviction that we haven’t just stumbled into this place; we are here with a purpose. We are in the Way.

The Well of Identity

Today, I’m thrilled to take you on a soul-stirring journey into the depths of identity. Identity has a huge role in the process of navigating change successfully and with greater clarity. Let’s find out why that is! Welcome to my latest podcast episode titled “The Well of Identity”, where we explore identity at its core.

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Episode Highlights

In this episode I share some practical strategies and insights to help us respond to identity confusion in our ever-changing lives. We will be reflecting on some ways we can stay grounded and purposeful in transition seasons.

Transitions are pivotal times to discover and embrace our true identities and live with greater purpose and fulfillment, even through the uncertainty and ambiguity of change. That’s good news!

Here are some key takeaways:

1. Healthy Identity. What does it look like? How does forgetfulness cause us to see ourselves as something less than how God sees us?

2. Identity Confusion: How can our true identities stay hidden under layers of unhealthy thought patterns influenced by our own misperceptions or cultural and societal norms?

3. Digging new wells: One of the invitations in transition seasons is to dig new wells toward our God-given identities. What does that mean and what might it look like?

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Listen to the Episode

Ready to dive into the well of identity? 🎧 Tune in to “The Well of Identity” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Reflect, take notes, and let the wisdom seep into your soul.

Don’t Forget!

As you sip your metaphorical water from the well of identity, don’t be surprised when other “voices” of false identity invade the space. Breathe the prayer, “Lord, remind me who I am in You.”  This journey is an ongoing pilgrimage my friend.

Thank you for being part of this faith-filled community. 🚀✨

Warm regards,

-Tim

P.S. If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it with fellow pilgrims on the path. Let’s create ripples of authenticity together!