Purpose in the Pause

Purpose.

In this context, you look at it as a verb.

A verb describes an action, an occurrence, or a state of being. To purpose something is to have it as one’s intention or objective. To intend. To mean. To aim. To plan. To design.

And when we say “in the,” we are talking about right in the smack-dab middle.

Then there is pause.

In this context, it is a noun. A temporary stop in action or speech. A stop. An interruption. A break. A standstill.

But even a pause has intention.

So when we find ourselves in a pause, we have to remember that there is a reason. There is intention. God makes it clear that everything He does has purpose for the eternal, whether we understand it or not. Which means we have to ask ourselves honestly, “What is the intention of this current pause in my life?”

Romans 8:18 reminds us that what we are experiencing now cannot compare to what is coming.

When there is a pause, we lose control.

And if we are honest, we like control. Control feels safe. But when we have control, we don’t need God in the same way. Pauses strip that illusion away. They refocus us on the eternal. They center us back to the relationship we should have with Him and deepen it.

As Allyson Golden said, “When we put our eyes on what we are waiting for, we take our eyes off of Who we are waiting for.”

God doesn’t promise a life with no trouble, but He does promise a life with peace. Nothing is out of His control. He is sovereign, meaning He is of supreme power and authority. He is always involved. Always present. Always working.

John 14:27 says, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

And in John 16:33, Jesus says, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

This is not the end.

Read ‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭15‬ ‭

In the pause, we have to accept cleansing.

Just like with the disciples, cleansing is awkward. It’s uncomfortable. It’s not fun. Having your feet washed by your Savior forces you to confront your need. But it prepares your heart to walk like Jesus and to be there for someone else. Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” All your heart means your whole heart. Loving God fully, both in public and in private. When you’re composed and when you’re crying out in anger and confusion. When you understand and when you absolutely do not.

In the pause, we glean.

To glean means to extract information from various sources, to collect gradually and bit by bit. We glean from God’s presence through His Word, through prayer, through worship. But we also glean in community. Just as Ruth gleaned the fields for her physical needs, we glean for our spiritual needs. Proverbs 13:20 says to walk with the wise to be wise. If there is a season we are specifically praying and hoping for, we begin becoming who we need to be for that season. We sit in with women who are already walking in it. We learn from them. We are encouraged by them. If you are praying to become a godly wife to a godly man one day, sit in with godly wives and glean from their experiences. If you are praying to become a godly mom, sit in with other mothers. Help them. Learn their strategies. If you are praying for community, reach out and be the friend you need. You don’t have to do this overwhelmingly. Just take in moments bit by bit. Be intentional with who you surround yourself with. Glean slowly. Faithfully. Quietly.

And in the pause, we wait patiently, remembering the eternal purpose and promise.

Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

This kind of waiting is not passive. It is dependent.

Dependence is relying on someone else. Passivity is accepting what happens without resistance. Waiting on the Lord is dependence, not passivity. We rely completely on God with a brave and courageous posture, accepting that what happens will happen when it should happen. Patience does not include bitterness.

Psalm 130:5–6 says, “I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on Him. I have put my hope in His word. I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn.”

When you are truly counting on the Lord and confident in what He will do, the waiting shifts. It may still stretch you, but it does not break you. You begin to see His goodness all around. And as you work in this season, the work will not be wasted. When you are moving in the Lord’s provision and on His path, it could never be wasted. You will never look back and regret living within His will.

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t might not feel that way at first. But eventually, it will. We have to take God at His Word.