In Discover Your Calling week 3, we learn about waiting on God’s timing as we look at the story of Noah.
We can see Noah’s calling, why he was called to build the ark, how he fulfilled his calling, and what the result was. Through it all, did you know that Noah did a lot of waiting? He didn’t see things in a clear manner from start to finish.
We might hear the story that way, but most of his life was spent trusting and waiting on God. What patience that must have taken!
As we wait on the Lord to reveal our calling, we must build patience, stay focused, and understand that waiting is just part of the process. During your season of waiting, you will likely experience hope, excitement, purpose, and curiosity about what’s to come.
As you explore your calling, you will see that God has given you the signs and tools to fulfill your calling. He wants you to succeed; it is all part of His plan. Take a moment to reflect on this. List out the signs He’s already given you on this journey. Not all will be revealed at once.
You might find it helpful to write out a covenant to God (a statement of promise) that you will fulfill the calling He has for you. Making a commitment like this will help you stay on the road you were meant to be on and realize the purpose of the period of waiting you are in.
God never wastes a moment, so enjoy the ride that He has placed you on!
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Day 11 – Building Patience in Waiting on God’s Timing
In Discover Your Calling, week 3, day 11, we learn about how to build patience while we wait on God’s perfect timing.
Patience can be a tough thing to accumulate. It requires us to consider where we are, where we want to be, and, most of all, what it will take to get us there. With your spiritual calling, you might need to wait for God to reveal it to you – something that can take time.
Read Genesis 6:1-7. Here, we learn about the state of the world when Noah was alive.
While it might seem like God was impatient with humanity, the truth is that God is very patient with us. Read 2 Peter 3:8-9. These verses show us clearly that God is very patient with us. He longs for His people to crave a relationship with Him over worldly things.
It is truly incredible when you look at how God’s patience plays out in our lives. As you build a solid relationship with the Lord and grow, you’ll see that He has a master plan – one that has not been completely revealed to us yet.
You will see patterns emerge, and you’ll get nudges – hints from our Father of what He wants you to do in this world to make the difference you were made to make.
What About You?
Have you received messages like this before? Are you waiting for God to reveal your purpose? Is a certain calling beginning to creep its head out?
As you build up your patience in waiting for the Lord’s plan to be revealed, make yourself productive. Spend additional time studying your Bible or listening to an inspiring sermon today. There are plenty of great resources out there to direct you. Just make sure they are Biblical.
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. – Isaiah 40:31
Day 11 – Biblework
Today’s Verses: Genesis 6:1-7; 2 Peter 3:8-9
Read the following additional verse(s): Psalm 27:14; Romans 8:18-25; Colossians 3:12; James 5:8
Answer these questions:
- What was going on with humanity in Noah’s days? How did God feel about His creation?
- Do you see any parallels between the way the world was and the way it is today? Explain.
- In what ways are you craving worldly things over a relationship with the Lord?
- In what ways are you waiting on God? Has your patience grown because of this?
- How have you remained faithful in the pursuit of your calling?
Digging Deeper:
Take a moment to really dig into the word patience. Do a word study of patience as it is used in Colossians 3:12. What did you learn about the word? How can you show further patience today?
Learn how to do a Bible word study.
Day 12 – Experiencing Hope and Excitement While Waiting
In Discover Your Calling week 3, day 12, we learn about how we can experience hope and excitement while waiting on the Lord.
Often, we see “waiting” as a sort of punishment. We wait in lines all the time, but rarely do we wait in lines, grateful for the chance to build our patience. It’s hard to imagine someone looking forward to the lines at the mall checkout counter or purposefully driving in an area with traffic.
Do you feel hope when you know you will be waiting in line for an extended period of time? Your feelings are probably closer to dread.
When we go back to Genesis 6:1-7, things seem a bit hopeless and bleak, right? In fact, here, we see God grieve because His people sinned instead of praising and glorifying Him.
As we turn to Genesis 6:8, we see a beautiful glimmer of hope. What has happened here? How is this an illustration of “hope?”
What About You?
In what ways do we see qualities like those that Noah had in other Biblical figures? Read Exodus 33:17.
There will likely be times in your life when hope seems lost. However, through rain or shine (and in Noah’s days, that meant life or death), we are given hope in Jesus. Romans 12:12, 1 Peter 1:3, and Romans 8:24-25 show us what hope really looks like.
If you are still waiting on God to reveal your calling or individual purpose, (1) make sure you are not missing clear signs that He has sent in your direction, (2) consider what you are passionate about (How could you use this for His glory?), and (3) pray about the matter diligently.
Now, take a deep breath and see if you do not feel a new surge of hope in the Lord regarding your calling.
Are you getting excited yet?
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. – Lamentations 3:25
Day 12 – Biblework
Today’s Verses: Genesis 6:1-8; Exodus 33:17; Romans 12:12; Romans 8:24-25; 1 Peter 1:3
Read the following additional verse(s): Psalm 37:34; Lamentations 3:25-26; Isaiah 40:31; Hebrews 11:1
Answer these questions:
- How did hope or anticipation play a part in Noah’s life?
- What has excited you the most in your life?
- If Noah had not had the hope he did, what might have happened?
- Are you hopeful that your calling will be revealed to you (if it has not yet happened)?
- In what ways are you excited or hopeful about your calling?
Digging Deeper:
Read Ephesians 2:11-22. Explain why we have hope today. Write it out as if you were speaking to a new believer or someone who has never heard of the Bible. In what ways do you show appreciation for the hope mentioned in Ephesians?
Day 13 – Staying Focused as You Wait
In Discover Your Calling week 3 day 13, we learn about how to stay focused as you wait on the Lord’s precious timing.
Today, distractions are plentiful. It is very easy to veer off the road that leads to eternal salvation.
Deep down, you might have the truth in your heart and love Jesus, but things have just gotten in the way of your faith. Have you ever experienced anything like this?
Noah had plenty of things that could have been steering him off the road, which led to his building of the ark.
I’m sure that not everyone allowed Noah to build the ark without a few critical remarks. In reality, persecution was likely all around him, especially with the state of the world being as it was.
Building the ark took perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to God. Noah had to stay focused and concentrate on the mission that was assigned to him.
Read the specific details that Noah had to follow in Genesis 6:9-21. How did Noah respond to God’s specific instructions on how to build the ark?
Noah acted in complete obedience. He continued to focus on the task at hand until God was ready. God had plans that exceeded what Noah knew about, but he followed the path laid out before him even when it was not popular. His faith carried him through the rough patches.
What About You?
You probably found the answer to the question above in Genesis 6:22.
There might be things in your life that aren’t sinful, but they are things that are steering you away from God’s calling for your life. What are you doing to stay on the mission you were called to?
Therefore, the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore, He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him. – Isaiah 30:18
Day 13 – Biblework
Today’s Verses: Genesis 6:9-22
Read the following additional verse(s): Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 1:1-6; James 1:22-25
Answer these questions:
- Why do you think Noah was willing to do as God commanded?
- What is the Lord trying to tell you about your calling?
- In what ways are you obeying?
- What distractions get in your way?
- What can you do to steer clear or minimize distractions from God’s Will?
Digging Deeper:
In Genesis 6:18, we are introduced to the word Covenant. Making a covenant with God involving what He has called you to do is a glorious thing. Learn more about transforming your life in this way by researching the meaning of this key term. Start by doing a word study.
Day 14 – Knowing That Waiting is Worth It
In Discover Your Calling week 3, day 14, we discover that waiting on the Lord is completely worth it.
Waiting can be brutal, especially if you are not expecting it. When we know that there is light at the end of the tunnel, we assume the result is worth the wait, so it is bearable. It can even be pleasant to know that what you are doing has a reward.
Finish the story of Noah in Genesis 7 and Genesis 8.
What’s interesting about Noah’s journey is that he continued strong even through his old age. He didn’t waver in his duties. He had the weight of his family, the animals, their new living quarters, and his relationship with God – it all probably weighed heavily on his shoulders.
What About You?
Can you relate?
List Noah’s responsibilities, possible excuses or concerns, and anything else you can think of. Get creative as you capture this list of possibilities. Think about what would hinder you if you were in his place. Are you starting to see some connections here?
Now, reverse the roles for a minute and see the potential advantages he had on his side. Noah didn’t have to worry about getting his children to their activities on time or those pesky social media rumors. We know it wasn’t a cakewalk, but there definitely was a big payoff.
Maybe you have never considered your calling in those terms before. Today, take a moment to list the things that prevent you from fulfilling your calling. Even if there are things that might hinder you in the future, list them. What can you do about those things today?
How can you prepare now for any possible hindrances?
If you aren’t sure how to eliminate these barriers, consider spending additional time in prayer on the matter. Light often shines when we pray.
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! – Psalm 27:14
Day 14 – Biblework
Today’s Verses: Genesis 7-8
Read the following additional verse(s): Psalm 58:11; John 10:10; Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 11:6-7; James 1:12
Answer these questions:
- How did Noah show loyalty to God and persistence in his tasks?
- What types of roles is God calling you to fill?
- Are you listening to hear this information from God?
- How do you listen to God?
- How are you acting in obedience to God as it pertains to your calling?
Digging Deeper:
Noah was not a young man when the flood came. Do a bit of background research into the matter to see the true age of Noah when God called him to build the ark. Determine how long he spent building the ark and waiting on the flood. Journal your findings.
Day 15 – Seeing Purpose Revealed in Waiting
In Discover Your Calling week 3, day 15, we see that we truly have a purpose. It is revealed to us during our waiting period.
Are the pieces that make up your calling starting to come together? Do you see the part that you can play in God’s Kingdom?
Maybe things are starting to connect. Perhaps you are still waiting on a clear signal from God as to what you should be doing. Continue to pray.
Often, during our season of waiting, we are taught new things. We are built up as children of God in new ways. Something changes. It could be that others see this change in you, but you might not notice it until much later.
God wants us to trust Him during this time. Do not just take matters into your own hands because you are uncertain or impatient. Let God have the time He desires in order to prepare you for the role He wants you to play. All will be revealed in good time.
What About You?
Have you ever had this experience? You want something, so you order it online because this ensures it will get here quickly. You later realize that if you had waited a few hours or days, you would have gotten a much better item.
The most beautiful part of life is often found in waiting.
Read Genesis 9:1-17. Here, we read that God confirmed all that was promised to Noah with a sign. What was that beautiful image? Noah did not get that sign in the beginning; he received it at the end.
It might be that the clear sign you are waiting on (the “thing” that will make you finally take notice and action in regard to your calling) is not going to be evident until AFTER you follow God’s Will. Seek Him before all else, and you’ll see it all come together!
But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. – Micah 7:7
Day 15 – Biblework
Today’s Verses: Genesis 9:1-17
Read the following additional verse(s): Psalm 33:20-22; Psalm 62:5-8; Micah 7:7; Isaiah 8:17; 1 Peter 4:10
Answer these questions:
- What was the rainbow a sign of?
- When have you experienced a blessing by waiting on God?
- What did you learn from that experience?
- How are you “rushing” God’s way (if you are)?
- In what ways could you trust God more as it pertains to your spiritual calling?
Digging Deeper:
Read 1 Corinthians 12 for a list of spiritual gifts as you look to see which ones God has made evident in your life and the lives of those around you. Where did He place your gifts? In what areas do you shine, and where do you need a bit of help?
Bonus Bible Study Resources
Use these Bible study resources to enhance your quiet time with God!
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How to Build a Quiet Time with God – In this 8-week Bible study, you will walk through the book of Psalms. Also, you’ll create your own personal quiet time with God.
FREE Ruth 9-Week Bible Study – Learn about this woman and all that she achieved in her lifetime in the Ruth Bible study!
Create Your Own God-Centered Goals – In this 5-day Bible study, you will discover all about goals and how to create ones that are centered on God.
Additional Helpful Resources
Find additional ideas for your study here:
- SOAP Bible Study Method – FREE Worksheet Included
- Build Your Own Bible Reference Book Library
- How to Pray | A Guide for Beginners
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Conclusion
Waiting can be terrifying and frustrating, especially when it comes to the unknown. In Discover Your Calling Week 3, we have learned how to wait on the Lord, why it’s an important thing to do, and how to best cope while you are waiting on His perfect timing.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. – Psalm 62:5
