Real with Rue

I don’t know if you can tell, but I’m a very impatient person. I love knowing what’s going to happen next in my life, I like being in control, and most importantly, I hate uncertainty. Of course, this desire to control my life isn’t the best combination for any Christian—especially when we are called to trust the unknown, have faith in a God we cannot see, and wait patiently for His timing, ‘where a thousand years are like a day to the Lord.’

The main reason people like me find it hard to wait on God is because we sometimes turn our goals into idols, feeling entitled to the reward as though we’ve earned it. My career definitely became an idol—a crutch I leaned on as a backup plan in case all else failed, something I could mention to prove my worth. I truly believe that part of the reason God made me wait for my training contract was to help me find purpose beyond what I do with my hands.

Even as I write this, I’m reminded of the words God the Father spoke over Jesus in Matthew 3:17:“A voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ This was before Jesus had done any ministry—before He healed, saved, or died on the cross. Just pure love from the Father to His child. Nothing earned.

Now, you might wonder why I believe idolisation is a big part of waiting. Well, the thing is, when you’re waiting on God—on His will and purpose for your life (“The steps of the righteous are ordered” comes to mind)—His path often isn’t the one we’ve planned to the letter. But His way is better.

I often tell people I once had an offer from one of my favourite law firms, but it randomly fell through. It became difficult to arrange interview dates, and with another firm I loved, they said I submitted a blank application—despite the fact that I checked it! I had an exam that week too. At the time, I just laughed it off. But looking back now, I’m so, so, so glad that God had His way.

It’s inspiring to hear stories of waiting, but the key thing is how we wait. The first key is your heart posture. The second is taking practical steps. When I wanted a new job, I set aside specific times in the evening to apply, while also praying over those applications—making sure I wasn’t turning the waiting itself into an idol. Heart posture really is everything. It’s so easy to begin fantasising about exactly how we want things to unfold. But as we all know: “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.”

Understanding and trusting God can feel exhausting at times—especially when it seems like you’ve been waiting again and again, and the “almost” moments make it even harder. Sometimes the words in the Bible can feel like just positive quotes. But when you remind yourself of who God is, the waiting becomes a little easier.

Let’s remember that the training contract is one out of a multiude of things I’m still waiting on other promises. There’s still uncertainty in my life and a long list of desires I place before the Lord—but I know who He is. In fact, I’ve tattooed it.

And remember, ‘ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.‘

its been real,

Rue.