“The Lord would speak with Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend, then Moses would return to the camp. His assistant, the young man Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the inside of the tent.”

Exodus 33:11 CSB

I love the season of winter, which I know, is not exactly true for everyone. I love this season because it is a time to prepare for the warmer days to come. Both in the natural world, and in our own lives. We set ambitions and goals, waiting for the time to be right.

That’s the hard part; waiting for the time to be right.

We don’t know what the future holds, and often in our own desires we want to have the full plan laid out and know exactly what is coming. But this just isn’t possible.

We might not know what the future will bring, but each of us can prepare in the season of waiting by growing in the presence of the Lord.

God has designed each of us with purpose to do good works that reflect His heart, the timing might just not be what you thought it would. And that’s okay.

I’ve found myself in many seasons of waiting. Even now, I am in a season of waiting. Trying to find the right spot and where others want to add my heart to their teams, but it isn’t moving at the speed I would love.

I love certainty and a plan, and God reminds me to trust and loosen my grip.

God’s plan might not be one that I thought, and ultimately that will be better.

I love reading about Joshua, not only because I can relate to him through name alone, but because Joshua was in a season where he knew He would step into leadership, but didn’t have the timing of when. He didn’t rush and didn’t try to move Moses to getting out, he simply resided in the presence of God. The tent that is referenced was the tent of meeting, where God’s presence was. In the old testament there was not a way for all people to have God’s spirit with them, there were priests and the place where God would be, and Joshua stayed in the presence.

Moses received guidance and direction, and then would go out and lead, a healthy example of leadership for each of us.

But Joshua, he chose to use his time wisely and grow in the presence of God.

God’s wisdom is ready to be poured out for us in the midst of our waiting.

There are many we see in Scripture that wait for God’s timing and not their own; from even Moses himself, to Joseph, David, and so many others. We see that they wait on God’s timing, but not simply waste time, but choose to learn, grow, and praise in the presence of God.

We often can see waiting as a setback, but waiting can be the starting point for God’s true purpose in your life.

I remember interning during college at a church, knowing that ministry is what I was made for, and this felt like a season of preparation. I was learning and doing the mundane tasks, and then when I graduated I thought there would be an opportunity to step into fulltime ministry. But that didn’t happen, I stepped into an interim position that was full time, but didn’t pay full time, but I kept thinking, “this will lead into something that God has for me!”

Again, that didn’t happen.

I remember sitting in an empty room, to interview for a position I was already doing, where the leadership team was already fifteen minutes late. I knew in my spirit as the first person walked into the room that what I had thought would be the perfect plan, wasn’t God’s plan. As the interview finally began and then finished, I knew I didn’t get it, it was a courtesy interview, but I didn’t let that stop me from what God has placed in me.

I have been thankful for the journey that God has placed me on, and thankful I didn’t get that job.

As time has progressed I have seen God use me to speak life and encourage others, because that is what He created me to do, to help people and disciple those around me.

Some has been in full time ministry and some hasn’t, but in every situation, I am living out what God has placed in my heart.

I am choosing, in the season of waiting for what might be next, to remain in the tent, allowing myself to prepare in God’s presence.

As much as I would love to be loud and obnoxious telling people, “look at me! Choose me!” That’s not what God has for me. I want to prepare in the waiting, to remain in God’s presence, and not forgetting to live out my calling every day.

Life isn’t a movie where there is a single conclusion and you step into the sunset, life is a daily path to living and loving like Christ.

Are you in a season of waiting? Does it feel like you want to go, but God is saying stay?

Don’t lose hope, embrace this season of waiting by putting yourself in the presence of God.

You might be being protected for a season that is better for you. Don’t give up, be proactive in how you love and remain in God’s presence.

Seasons of waiting are not times to dread, but times to remain in the tent of meeting resting in God’s presence and provision.

-Your pastor and friend, Joshua.

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About the Author: Joshua Thomas is a husband, father, and pastor doing what he can to love others the way Jesus did. You can find him reading a good book, sipping warm tea, taking pictures, or dreaming. He may not have it all figured out, but the journey is the best part. You can find him on the social media he uses Tik Tok, Bluesky and Instagram