When the Pause Prepares You

What if the pause is preparation? In this closing episode of the series, we reflect on how God forms us in hidden seasons. The pause may feel like standing still, but God is always at work — shaping, strengthening, and preparing us for what’s next.

What you’ll hear in this week’s episode

•How God can use pauses to prepare you for greater His purpose and plan.

Verses of the Week

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV):
 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Jeremiah 1:5:
 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” (ESV)

1 Samuel 16

Connect with Cecille:

https://www.cecillevaloria.com

https://www.instagram.com/valoriacecille/

Theme Music: Descript stock music-Soiree

Intro & Outro- by Leva (Pixabay lemonmusicstudio)

Transcript

0:02

What if the pause is preparation? In this closing episode of the series, we reflect on how God forms us in hidden seasons. The pause may feel like standing still, but God is always at work shaping, strengthening, and preparing us for what's next. Welcome to Digging Deep for Treasures podcast. This is Cecile Valoria, a Christian author. And a retired teacher. This podcast is to encourage women to grow in their faith and harness the power of the Holy Spirit as we unearth scriptural truths so that we can live in a peace filled life in our fear prone world. So now sit back, relax, and lets dig deep for treasures in his word. I never understood why my husband collected turtle figurines when he was single, but after years of marriage, I began to notice something. He moves through life the way a turtle crosses the road, slow, intentional, unhurried, and it made me wonder, what if the pauses in our lives aren't about being stuck? What if they're about being prepared? That idea reminds me of someone in the Bible who knew what it meant to move slowly toward a promise. David. In one Samuel 16, we see Samuel anoint David as king, while he is still a boy, but he doesn't step unto the throne right away. Instead, he goes back to tending sheep. Then he serves King Saul. And later he's hunted, hidden and running for his life. He was chosen, but not crowned, called, but not positioned yet. David wasn't just waiting for the throne, he was being prepared for it. In David's waiting, God was shaping his character, his dependence on him, and his leadership. The pause wasn't empty, it was active. God was doing his deepest work in the hidden places. And that brings me to this verse that has really anchored this idea for me. Ephesians 2: 10."For we are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God's handiwork. That means you are being shaped, not stalled. Created in Christ Jesus for good works. That means there is purpose ahead of you prepared in advance, which means God was working long before you ever arrived there. Just like He said in Jeremiah 1:5,"before I formed you in the womb, I knew you before you were born. I set you apart." God doesn't start preparing you when you get there, He starts preparing you before you even begin. If the works are prepared in advance, then maybe we are too. I had my proposal and manuscript ready for a publisher, but I've had no offers. Maybe you're waiting like I am- waiting for the job you've always dreamed of, for a relationship that hasn't come together yet, for a calling that feels delayed. You may feel like nothing is happening, but heaven doesn't waste seasons. The pause is not punishment. The pause is not absence. The pause is preparation. Maybe the turtle isn't slow because it's lost. Maybe it's slow because it knows exactly where it's going. God isn't rushing you across the road. He's preparing you for where you're going next. So if you are in a pause right now, don't rush it. Don't resent it. Let it prepare you."Heavenly Father, as difficult as it is to wait, help me to wait on you and for you. Your plan is perfect. Your timing is impeccable, and your will is intentional. Calm my restlessness with your peace. Fill me with confidence and hope in the middle of my fears, and give me the strength to persevere while I'm waiting. Prepare me in this pause for everything you've already prepared for me. In Jesus' most precious name. Amen." God prepares the purpose and then he prepares the person. Blessings to you. Thank you for joining me today on this episode of Digging Deep for Treasures. If you enjoyed it, I'd love for you to subscribe so you don't miss any future ones. Of course, it would be amazing if you leave a reading and a reveal. This will help more women to find a podcast and growth in their hope and peace. If you're not sure how to leave a rating and review. Click on the podcast app you are listening to and look for the rating and reviews option. I'd like to also invite you to join my private Facebook group so we can get to know each other more. It's a great community where we can engage, learn, and grow together. Just hop on to@diggingdeepfortreasures. Then enter your name and email and you will receive an invite for the group. Or you can also connect with me on my website@cecillevaloria.com or at in my Instagram, at@valoriacecille. Thank you once again and may you have a blessed week. See you in two weeks.