Stuck On The Sidelines

But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. - Romans 8:25

Do you ever find yourself asking these questions:

- Why does she always get everything she wants?

- Why do things always seem to go her way?

- Why does she always win?

- Can’t it be my turn?

- Why do I have to keep waiting?

I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s had thoughts like this. We all know that girl who seems to just coast through life, getting everything she ever wanted, whenever she wants it. She gets the dream job, scores a promotion, drives a new car, lives in a super nice apartment, dates the perfect guy, goes on extravagant vacations…the list keeps going. 

It just doesn’t seem fair. You can’t understand why things always seem to go well for her, why she doesn’t have to wait for anything. Meanwhile you feel like you can’t catch a break, like you just can’t win. You just keep waiting and waiting and waiting, praying that before long, it’ll finally be your turn, that you won’t have to wait anymore, and you’ll get what you’ve been hoping for. 

Waiting is never fun, especially when you’re watching other people get what you want. But I don’t have to tell you that. Let me encourage you, though. Just because you’re on the sidelines now, doesn’t mean you always will be. 

Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” 

In other words, just because our current circumstances might seem uncertain, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have hope. On the contrary, it means we should wait expectedly and excitedly, looking forward to what God has in store for us. 

Isaiah 64:4 says, “For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you who works for those who wait for him!”

What a statement! That means that even if we tried, we couldn’t possibly understand and comprehend all that God is doing behind the scenes, working on our behalf as we wait for Him. 

One of my favorite quotes was made by John Piper, when he said, “God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, and you may be aware of three of them."

Let me encourage you, friend. Even if your life seems to be at a stand still, God is still moving. He is in action, working all things together for your good and for His ultimate glory. He has a purpose in your waiting. And while it may seem like you’re going to be stuck on the sidelines forever, you’re not. God has a perfect game plan, and He knows exactly when your time will come. 

So my challenge to you is this. Next time you see that girl who always seems like she’s winning, next time you scroll by one of her Instagram pictures or watch one of her Snapchat stories, stop. Stop and ask the Lord to help you to wait eagerly for what He has in store for you. Instead of focusing on what other people have and what other people are doing, focus on how God is preparing you in this season of waiting. Ask Him to give you patience in the meantime and get excited about all that He has planned for you!