When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” John 11:4, NIV

Anytime I’m in a season of waiting (aren’t I always, though?), I can’t help but think of the words from Tom Petty’s song: “The wa-A-a-a-iting is the hardest part.” 

While the song definitely isn’t a Christian message, man, does this lyric ever hit hard!

Lately, God keeps reminding me that His timing is perfect. That when the time is right, He will make it—whatever it is—happen. Not a moment too early. Not a second too late. 

In fact, after an interview for a position I didn’t get, I found a small, crumpled-up note on the office floor. When I picked it up, it simply said, “God’s timing is always perfect.” 

Thanks, God! I needed to hear that!

This past Sunday, while studying the story of Lazarus at church, God brought it all together for me again. Here was a situation where Jesus could have healed immediately—He’d done that before, even from a distance, like with the centurion’s daughter. But He didn’t rush in. Instead, He waited. On purpose.

And that waiting? It was heavy. It brought grief, questions, and even frustration. But it was also full of meaning, had a purpose, and proved His glory.

Here are four truths God spoke to me through this story:

1. The waiting shows God’s power. Jesus didn’t arrive in time to stop Lazarus’ death. Instead, He resurrected him, making it clear this was no ordinary miracle. The waiting highlighted God’s unmatched power.
   
   
2. The waiting was intentional. Jesus delayed His visit for four days, which was significant in Jewish tradition. The spirit was believed to hover near the body for three days (think about that in light of Jesus’ resurrection)! By showing up on day four, Jesus made it clear that Lazarus was truly gone, and His miracle was undeniable.
   
3. The waiting increased their faith. Mary and Martha had lost hope. But when they saw Jesus’ power, their faith deepened in a way they couldn’t have anticipated. Often, the waiting makes us ready to believe on a deeper level. It grows our faith like never before!
   
   
4. The waiting grows us for what’s next. The period between the prayer and the answer isn’t just a pause. In that in-between space, God is doing deep work in us. Preparing us. Stretching our trust. Teaching us to let go. Sometimes the gift isn’t just the thing we’re waiting for—it’s the version of us that’s been shaped while waiting.

It’s tempting to rush ahead. To make things happen. But if we do that, we may miss the testimony He’s writing—one that will take our breath away if we can just hang on through the hardest part.

The waiting may be the hardest part, but I’ll say it again to myself (and maybe to you): His timing is perfect. Always.

Jesus, help me trust You in the waiting. Even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard. I know You’re never late. Grow my faith and my heart as I wait on You. Amen.

Copyright Morgan Preston.

Morgan is a former middle school language arts and social studies teacher. She is currently Christian Educators’ Director of Marketing and Communications and serves her middle school students and teachers through First Priority.