Wait and Watch God Work

Isaiah 40:31 – “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

There’s something about the ocean that resets your soul. It’s loud and wild and unpredictable—but it pulls you in anyway.

During a trip to Gulf Shores, Sarah and I found ourselves right in the middle of the chaos— sunscreen in our eyes, seagulls calling overhead, and a couple of nephews ready to conquer the waves.

We handed them boogie boards and waded out together. We tried to explain how it worked. “You’ve got to wait,” we told them. “Not every wave is the right one.”

Our nephews tried. Sort of. But mostly they jumped at whatever came first. Some waves faded too soon. Others knocked them over like bowling pins. But every so often, one would lift them and send them gliding all the way to shore.

I stood there watching, grinning like crazy, when it hit me: They’re not frustrated when they fall. They’re excited to try again.

That got to me.

Because I’ve been in waiting seasons too. Not on a beach—but in life. Hoping God would give direction, open a door, answer a prayer. I’ve tried to push ahead, force momentum, make things happen. But faith is not about forcing waves, is it? It is about showing up in the water—hopeful, ready, and willing to wait for God’s timing.

So, I am learning to wait differently. Not with crossed arms, but with open hands. Like a kid at the beach, bracing for the next ride.

And maybe you are, too. If you’re waiting on something—don’t give up. You are not forgotten. Stay ready. Keep watching. The tide is turning.