Waiting
I have never really gone fishing. The closest I have come is trying my hand at “prawning”, if there is such a word! It is something like fishing, except it takes place in a controlled pond with dark, almost black water. You pay for a few hours, receive a slim fishing rod with a fine line and a tiny hook, bait it with the smallest piece of food, and then patiently wait for a prawn to bite. The slightest tug on the line brings a little thrill as you gently lift the rod, hoping you have caught one. It has been more than twenty years since I last went “prawning.” These days, I find just as much enjoyment watching others patiently cast their lines and wait.
I have often thought about trying fishing one day, though I wonder if I have the patience for it. There is something wonderfully peaceful about watching friends fishing together along the quiet jetty at Labrador Nature Reserve. Their rods stretch silently over the water while gentle conversations, occasional laughter, and friendly jokes drift on the sea breeze. Time seems to slow down. No one appears to be in a hurry. Whether they catch many fish or none at all almost seems secondary. I imagine the greatest catch is not found at the end of the fishing line, but in the friendships strengthened, the stories shared, and the precious moments spent simply enjoying one another’s company.
Perhaps fishing teaches us a lesson that reaches far beyond the water’s edge. Some of life’s greatest blessings cannot be hurried. The fisherman learns to wait with hope, trusting that in time the catch will come. In much the same way, our walk with God includes seasons of waiting. We pray, we hope, and sometimes we wonder why the answers seem delayed. Yet those waiting seasons are never empty. While we are looking for visible results, God is quietly at work beneath the surface shaping our character, deepening our faith, teaching us patience, and preparing us for blessings that will arrive in His perfect time.
Looking back, I can see that some of God’s greatest gifts came after seasons of waiting. His answers were not always immediate, but they were always timely. Often, His delays were not His denials. During those quiet seasons, He strengthened my trust, refined my heart, and taught me to depend more fully upon Him. Looking back now, I realise that He was accomplishing far more than I could ever see at the time.
Another of God’s wonderful blessings is the people He places beside us while we wait. Family members, faithful friends, and fellow believers often become His instruments of encouragement. Through their prayers, kind words, quiet companionship, and unwavering support, God reminds us that we never journey alone. Sometimes the greatest comfort is not having all the answers, but having someone willing to sit beside us until God’s answers come.
May this familiar scene remind us that waiting is never wasted when our lives are entrusted to God. As we learn to rest in His perfect timing, may we also become patient companions to those who are waiting through difficult seasons. A listening ear, a word of encouragement, a sincere prayer, or simply our faithful presence can become a source of hope. In doing so, we reflect the heart of Christ, who patiently walks beside us, never leaves us, and assures us that in His perfect time, every promise will be fulfilled.
Bible Verse:
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 WEB
Blessings:
God blesses us with faithful friends who journey alongside us, with hope that sustains us in every season, and with His constant presence that reminds us He is always at work, even in the waiting.
Reflection Point:
Stillness can become a sacred place where we learn to trust God’s presence more deeply. Even when life feels quiet, He continues to hold us, guide us, and surround us with people who reflect His love.
Reflection Question:
Where have you seen God strengthening your hope through the people He has placed in your life?
Action to Consider for this week:
Reach out to someone who may be waiting through a difficult season. Spend time listening, offer an encouraging word, or pray with them. Your patient presence may become a reminder that God has not forgotten them.
Hymn for the Reflection
My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
Hymn Writer
Edward Mote (1797–1874) was an English Baptist pastor and one of the most beloved hymn writers of the nineteenth century.
Born in London to parents who owned a public house, Mote had little religious instruction during his childhood. As a young apprentice cabinetmaker, he came to faith in Jesus Christ through the preaching of the Gospel.
He continued working as a skilled furniture maker for many years before eventually becoming the pastor of a Baptist church in Horsham, Sussex, where he faithfully served for over twenty-five years.
Known for his humility and deep devotion to Christ, Mote believed that the Christian life must rest entirely upon God’s grace rather than human achievement.
The Story Behind the Hymn
Edward Mote wrote “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” in 1834 while reflecting on the certainty of salvation found in Jesus Christ.
According to Mote’s own account, the first verse came to him one morning while travelling to work. He quickly wrote down the words before they slipped from his memory.
Later that week, he visited the wife of a fellow church member who was seriously ill. Realising she needed encouragement, Mote shared the verses he had written. They brought her great comfort, reminding her that her confidence rested not in her circumstances but in Christ alone.
Encouraged by this experience, Mote completed the remaining verses.
The hymn became widely known by its closing refrain:
“On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.”
Its message has comforted generations of Christians facing uncertainty, suffering, and even death, pointing them to the unchanging faithfulness of Jesus Christ.