Your Waiting Is Not Wasted
DAWNCHERÉ WILKERSON
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“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:2 (NIV)
Waiting doesn’t come easily, does it? Whether it’s waiting on a job offer, the restoration of a fractured relationship, or clarity about what’s next, waiting can feel frustrating or even like a punishment.
But what if waiting is preparation for something more profound?
Several years ago, my family and I found ourselves in a time of deep waiting. We had prayers that seemed unanswered for so long that it was tempting to believe they’d been forgotten. One day, amid the weight of all those questions, I realized something: Waiting didn’t mean God was holding back from me. It meant He was preparing space in me for growth, clarity, and His purpose.
Like a gardener pruning branches, God was cutting away the clutter in my life so I could become more fruitful. Rather than consuming myself with longing for what’s next, I began asking, What can I make of this moment?
Jesus’ words in John 15 reveal a truth that’s easy to overlook:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:1-2, NIV).
Waiting and pruning often go hand in hand. Pruning isn’t to harm us. Pruning frees us from distractions, misplaced priorities, and even disappointments so we can thrive where God has us right now.
It’s easy to fill our lives with busy schedules, endless phone scrolling, or overcommitting to things we think we “should” be doing. These distractions can weigh us down and crowd out God’s work in our lives.
Sometimes making room for God starts with letting go of what’s unnecessary. What are some “branches” that need trimming in your life? Is it perfectionism, comparison, or unhealthy relationships occupying too much of your emotional energy? When we release what’s holding us back, we create space for God to move.
Waiting isn’t passive. It’s active surrender. It’s shifting our focus toward trusting God and stepping closer to Him. My waiting periods have become some of my most worshipful times — not because they felt easy but because they reminded me just how much I need Him.
Friend, Jesus is with us in the slow burn of our waiting. He’s not on the other side of the door, holding the blessing out of reach until we earn it. He’s here, pruning and shaping us so that when the time is right, we’ll be ready for the fruit He’s been cultivating all along.
Heavenly Father, help me to trust You while I wait. Teach me to release distractions and make room for You to move in my life. Help me to see this time as an opportunity to grow deeper in my faith and closer to Your heart. I choose to believe that my waiting has purpose. Thank You for being faithful in every moment. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Discover how waiting is a sacred time of formation, revealing God’s faithfulness and strengthening us for the future, with DawnCheré Wilkerson’s Slow Burn: the Work and Wonder of the Wait.
ENGAGE
Looking for more encouragement? Watch DawnCheré Wilkerson’s sermon series inspired by Slow Burn. You’ll find wisdom, hope, and practical advice for your waiting journey.
Enter to WIN your very own copy of Slow Burn by DawnCheré Wilkerson. To celebrate this book, DawnCheré’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by filling out the form here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and notify them via email by Tuesday, September 2, 2025.}
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Hebrews 12:1-2a, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (NIV).
What’s one “branch” in your life that you might need to prune so you can make space to experience a deeper level of trust and growth with God? Share with us in the comments!
© 2025 by DawnCheré Wilkerson. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Monday, 25 August 2025.
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