Some things are worth the wait

I don’t know what you have been waiting for, but if it comes from Him, it is going to be good. It is going to be worth the wait.

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I love food. I grew up with a dad who was a chef and, in a culture, where food was how you showed love. So, when my husband and I choose vacation destinations, it is often based on the food scene.

Every city has that one spot—the place everyone recommends, the place you have to try at least once. In Oklahoma City, the ultimate brunch spot is Café Kacao. It’s the place people rave about and post about on social media.

One anniversary, after a classic couple’s back-and-forth—“What do you want to eat?” “I don’t know, what do you want?”—we finally decided to try Café Kacao. We got dressed, studied the menu on the drive, and pulled up to find a line stretching down the side of the building. But we didn’t give up. We quickly pulled out our phones to reserve a spot. The wait time: one hour.

For a moment, we considered leaving. We were so hungry, and waiting outside for that long felt like it might ruin our anniversary meal experience. But then we remembered what everyone had said: It’s worth the wait. So, we stayed.

And they were right. The food was incredible. The flavors, the service—it was absolutely worth it.

I think often in life, we don’t struggle to wait because we’re impatient. We struggle because we’re unsure if what we’re waiting for is actually worth it.

For many followers of Jesus, the root issue isn’t a lack of faith in God’s ability to fulfill His promises, but a deep fear that what He provides won’t truly satisfy us. So, we settle for experiences, chasing happiness on our own terms. Instead of obedience, we take control and rush ahead.

And we wonder:
Is the spouse worth waiting for?
Is the calling worth the sacrifice?

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem (Acts 1:4–5 NIV). He was leaving them, and they were afraid and sad. Jesus tells them to wait, promising them that something better is coming: the Holy Spirit. Later, He tells them, “I am going to prepare a place for you…and I will come back and take you to be with me” (John 14:2–3 NIV).

Jesus acknowledged their grief and confusion, but reframed their waiting and raised their expectancy. This is worth the wait.

We wait differently when we believe the promise is good, like when we expect the food to be good.

Scripture reminds us:

  • “He who did not spare His own Son…how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”
    Romans 8:32 NIV
  • “’For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to give you hope and a future…’”
    Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
  • “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…”
    Ephesians 3:20 NIV

Waiting well isn’t passive. It is an act of trust, of believing that God is good and that every gift He gives is good. I don’t know what you have been waiting for, but if it comes from Him, it is going to be good. It is going to be worth the wait.

Ultimately, we are all waiting for His return. Jesus calls us to wait well because waiting is not the end of the story. He reminds us that in this world there will be chaos, brokenness, pain, and grief. But this is not our home; this is just where we wait.

We are waiting on this promise: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4 NIV).

One day, there will be no more cancer, abuse, war, anxiety, or loss. There will only be joy, peace, wholeness, and love. Jesus will make everything right. He is preparing that place for us, even now.

So, we wait well in the middle of unanswered prayers and hard diagnoses.
We wait well in seasons of grief, disappointment, and confusion.
We wait well when the world feels fragile and heavy.

We cling to hope today because we believe Jesus is coming back. We believe that what is ahead is far greater than what is behind. We wait with expectancy because eternity with Him is better.

Let’s get our hopes up—even in the discomfort of waiting—because we know it will be worth the wait.

 

A black and white portrait of DaySpring contributing author Simi John.

Simi John was born in India and moved to Dallas, Texas, at the age of 7. Simi is a speaker, author and full-time physical therapist. Her calling is to the local church, and her passion is to equip women to know who they are and live faithfully right where they are. Find Simi's work and words at https://www.simijohn.tv.