The Art of Waiting: A Lesson in Patience and Timing

I noticed something interesting during the just-concluded festive season, especially on New Year’s Eve. As we in Nigeria waited to cross over into a new year, other countries like India, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea were already celebrating. Their earlier time zones allowed them to step into the future before us.

This observation reminded me of a simple but profound truth: there is always a waiting time for everything in life. Some people may be celebrating their moment of arrival, but others—like us—must wait for our appointed time. The same is true in life. We all have seasons of waiting, not because we choose to, but because it is often the only option we have.

Waiting is never easy. Whether it’s counting down the seconds to midnight on New Year’s Eve or striving toward personal goals, waiting tests us. Times and seasons are powerful forces that shape our lives. As Aristotle wisely observed, “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”

Why do we have to wait? Often, it’s because we are not yet ready for what we desire. For example, someone might want a car and be old enough to drive. But do they have the resources to maintain it? Without fuel, servicing, or even insurance, the car they longed for would soon become a burden.

The same applies to life’s bigger milestones—marriage, career success, or dreams of fame. Many people want these things, but desire alone isn’t enough. Readiness matters. If you take on a role or responsibility before your time, it might overwhelm you. This is why timing is so important.

Timing is everything. You’ve probably heard people say, “You can’t have it all.” But the truth is, you can have everything—just not all at once. Life unfolds gradually, like the changing seasons, giving us the space to grow into the blessings meant for us.

Imagine a space that’s reserved just for you. When your time comes, that space will open up, and no one can take it from you. But if you try to occupy that space before it’s truly yours, you might not be able to hold it. That’s what happens to people who rise too quickly to fame or success. They burn out because they stepped into their moment prematurely.

Waiting isn’t just about delay—it’s about preparation. It’s in the waiting that we grow, learn, and develop the capacity to handle what’s ahead. Just as farmers wait for the rain before planting seeds, we must wait for the right season to bear fruit in our own lives.

The Bible reminds us, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end, it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry” (Habakkuk 2:3, NKJV).

You may feel stuck or overlooked, but waiting is never wasted. It is in the waiting that you are being prepared for your moment.

So, if you find yourself in a season of waiting, don’t lose hope. Remember, waiting doesn’t mean you’ve been forgotten—it means your time is still unfolding. Though it is difficult, waiting will ultimately lead you to the sweet fruit of your efforts.

Trust the process. Be patient. Everything will come to you in its appointed time. And when it does, everyone will notice. Until then, use this waiting time to prepare, grow, and ready yourself for the opportunities ahead.