Yet another rejection email entered my inbox. Sigh. Over the years, I’ve gotten countless rejection emails over the years, so it wasn’t particularly surprising—but it was still disappointing.
Even when I think that my writing is ready—like really ready—for publication on a certain website or in a certain magazine, it still gets rejected. Even when I’ve spent hours writing and editing an article or a story, it still gets rejected. Even when I’ve implemented advice from wise individuals about modifying my writing, it still gets rejected.
Then all I can do is wait until I hear back from the next publication. Stay in my current season of life and busy myself with other activities. Rest in the fact that God is still in control and that He sees my disappointment. But society would tell me to do exactly the opposite.
Stuck in a Dream-Chasing Society
Benjamin Franklin once said, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” I’m sure that he meant it as a warning against procrastination, which is great. But our society has twisted it to mean something entirely different.
This statement seems to be plastered everywhere as a call to achieve one’s dreams—and to achieve them now. No waiting. Just attaining.
Achieving your dreams could mean many things in society’s eyes—from getting an athletic scholarship to starting a prestigious job to marrying a handsome guy. The possibilities are endless, but they all have something in common: getting.
But what if we can only get so much on our own? What if we have to wait for our dreams to come true?
Out of Our Control
Whether we like it or not, life is a process. Actually, life is full of processes. Not quick fixes. Not instant happiness. Not one-size-fits-all.
What society may not realize about Benjamin Franklin’s statement is that sometimes our current seasons of life don’t permit us to reach our goals today. Sometimes we may have to put our dreams on the backburner and simply wait.
But despite what our overscheduled, overachieving society says, there’s nothing wrong with waiting. In fact, periods of waiting can actually be beautiful.
Your Future Doesn’t Depend on You
Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14 NASB)
David’s words about waiting are both an encouragement and an admonition. He recognized that people can only do so much as they wait. Only God can truly cause our circumstances to change.
I don’t mean that you shouldn’t chase your dreams. I believe that some dreams are God-given and are worth pursuing.
But what if—right now—you just need to rest in God and His perfect timing? What if you started to see this season as a time of waiting—not dream-chasing?
We’re not in control of achieving our dreams. God is. We can try to fight our circumstances, but the sooner we recognize God’s sovereignty, the sooner we can recognize the beauty of waiting.
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 