The Waiting Season

The term waiting season is a phrase I hear all too much. Especially in the church. And I HATE it. If you’re in one of my small groups you’ve probably heard me complain about this term one too many times.

Waiting is defined as: the action of staying where one is or delaying action until a particular time or until something else happens.

That is awful.

The term waiting insinuates a lack in the present moment. Do I understand why people say the waiting season, yes. But I think there are countless better words to describe this time. Growth season is my personal preference.

Every season in life has its own fruits and its own treasures, and I think it’s important to acknowledge that, even when there’s a bigger milestone that you are anticipating. There is no season where we are merely waiting, we should never be waiting for life to happen to us, we should be living. Each moment that passes is a moment we will never get back, and I’d hate to waste any moment waiting for life to happen to me.

While a “waiting” season can be during any time of life, I feel that the one most talked about in my young adult ministry especially is the season before marriage. The season of singleness (did anyone else get flashbacks to hearing this term every other day).

I hate the idea that we’re waiting for God to put the right person in our lives. I’m not waiting, I’m living. I love being single, this is the only time in my life when I can truly focus on myself. This is the time for me to learn who I am on my own. It’s time for me to learn who I want to be. To strengthen my relationship with God, and also with myself. There is so much more I want to do and learn on my own.

Now, don’t get me wrong I also love being in a relationship. I love living life with someone I love by my side, but I have the rest of my life for that. This is MY time. I can do what I want when I want, there isn’t anyone else I need to consider when making decisions, and I can do what’s best for me. I am confident that God will put the right person in my life when the time is right.

It’s important to acknowledge during this time that we are WHOLE. We do not need someone else to “complete” us.

My suggestion is a mere change of perspective. Yes, these seasons exist, but don’t look at it as waiting. Look at it as growing to be the best version of you for the next milestone you’re anticipating.