The preparation/waiting period includes certain elements:
1. It starts with intimacy with the LORD
Being intimate with GOD means to become a person who knows the heart of GOD, to be a person according to His heart. If we have an intimate friend, we will talk, meet, and spend time with them. Also, each moment we spend with them strengthens the bond as we get to know them better, through their actions, behavior, and thoughts. The more time you spend, the more you know. Similarly, when we say we are intimate with GOD, we must have a proper communication with Him. Communication with GOD means to spend time with Him in prayer, and BIBLE meditation. Let me add one more thing to this. When we are close to GOD, our friendship/relationship with Him increases such that we find it pure joy to talk to Him even when we are driving or walking. Our intimacy with Him will be such that we will make every step according to His will.
When we are close to GOD, He shares His heart with us. If Elijah was not close to GOD, He would have never called him to stand for Him when a nation moved away from the plans of GOD. In short, we can say, when we are close to Him, He shares His burdens with us. GOD needs us to be His spokesperson in this ungodly world.
2. The Training Phase
As our intimacy with Him starts to grow, He shares His heart with us so that we will have a hunger to do things for GOD. But GOD never uses a person without making him/her go through the training phase. It is because, GOD doesn’t want us to move based on our emotions, but by the strength drawn from what He teaches us. The teaching phase is to break and mold us into the shape that He has in mind. Every person who has been used by GOD has a past of brokenness. “GOD uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken.”
The training phase is to teach us:
- Dependency on GOD alone: To make us realize that He alone is the one whom we can rely on and that He won’t change according to situations around.
- To be zealous for GOD: GOD is zealous about holiness. The more we grow in GOD, He gives us His heart that is zealous – about holiness in us, the temple and in the nation.
- To lead a life of integrity: Though we are dependent on GOD and zealous for Him, we ought to have a life of integrity before Him. It is about leading a life of holiness even when no one is watching.
- To submit ourselves and our dreams before GOD: When His will becomes our desire, miracles happen in our lives.
- Discipline in food and dressing: A life of craving for food and modernity is sin before GOD. We need to be simple and exemplary in our lives.
3. The Breakthrough Phase
When we become the person according to His plan, He will bring us out for His glory. We prefer to jump to the third phase quickly. But GOD has a perfect time for everything and He will bring us out at His appointed time. This is the time when we become more productive and efficient for the glory of the LORD.
As each person is unique, the breakthrough phase will also be unique. Elijah came out with the valor of the LORD and it was clearly seen in his words. He was confident that GOD had prepared him for this particular purpose. The breakthrough phase is the time when we really see GOD in action through our lives. Though it may take years to come to this phase, be humble and of good courage because He who has called you is faithful.
Why is the waiting period so essential in one’s life?
Everyone and everything on this Earth goes through a waiting period. Take the case of a plant. It has to go through different stages of germination to become a full plant. And none gives up on something they have invested upon. A gardener won’t give up on his crops because nothing comes out on the very next day of planting. Similarly, the waiting season is essential in our lives as it brings out drastic changes within. The assurance that GOD won’t give up on us during the waiting season gives us a hope, to endure through this season because He is the one who invested in us.
So, when you are going through the waiting season, don’t feel down or depressed because GOD is there to help and sustain you through the season and GOD has something greater in store for you. Keep waiting on GOD and acquire strength from Him.
