God Is Not Waiting On You (And That's Really Good News)

You don’t initiate the relationship; God does. He’s not pacing the floor of Heaven, hoping you’ll finally say yes. Here’s the real story of how grace works.

I’ve heard it said a thousand different ways:

“God is just waiting on you.”

“Make yourself available and He’ll use you.”

“Say yes and He’ll finally show up.”

And for a long time, I believed it. It sounded spiritual. Noble, even. Like God had this big plan, but I was the one holding it back because I hadn’t “surrendered” enough, prayed the right prayer, or become available enough to be useful.

But here’s what I’ve come to realize: that kind of thinking puts way too much confidence in me and not nearly enough in God.

Because the truth is, God isn’t sitting in Heaven pacing the floors of glory, wringing His hands and hoping Shane finally gets it together and says, “Okay, Lord. I’m ready.”

He’s not stuck. He’s not powerless. He’s not waiting for me to make the first move.

In fact, if I’m honest, I’d never move toward Him at all, unless He moved toward me first.

The Myth of a Hesitant God

Let’s be real. The idea that God is “waiting on us” sounds spiritual, but it’s loaded with subtle pride. It assumes that God’s power is somehow on pause until I decide to activate it.

As if the Creator of the universe, who spoke galaxies into existence, is dependent on my willingness to finally be used.

That’s not biblical. That’s not the Gospel.

What Scripture actually shows us is that God is always the Initiator.

“We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.” – John 6:44

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

God didn’t look down and say, “Wow, that guy’s available, I think I’ll save him and use him.” He looked down and saw someone dead in sin. Unwilling. Unable. Blind. Rebellious.

And He stepped in anyway.

Surrender is a Response, Not a Prerequisite

Now, don’t get me wrong, surrender is real. Obedience matters. God absolutely calls us to respond in faith.

But that surrender doesn’t start with me. I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to get my act together. If I ever turn to God, it’s because He turned my heart first.

Think about Lazarus.

He didn’t “make himself available” to be raised from the dead. He was dead. Like, four-days-stinking-in-a-tomb dead.

And Jesus didn’t stand outside the tomb saying, “Lazarus, if you’ll just make yourself available, I’ll bring you back.”

No. He called him out. Gave him life. And Lazarus responded—because Jesus gave him the ability to respond.

That’s what grace does.

Why This Matters (and Why It’s So Freeing)

When we believe the lie that God is waiting on us, we start to live like everything hinges on our performance, our prayers, or our level of spiritual passion.

That’s exhausting. And it's a burden we were never meant to carry.

But when we understand that God moves first, everything changes.

Suddenly, our faith isn’t something we conjure up; it’s something God gives. Our surrender isn’t something we manufacture; it’s something He enables. Our usefulness isn’t based on our availability; it’s based on His power.

That means the pressure is off.

I’m not the hero of the story; I’m the one face down on the floor who got rescued and revived. I don’t have to impress God. He already knew everything about me and still came for me.

That’s not just good theology, it’s incredibly good news.

But What About “God Wants to Use You”?

He absolutely does. God delights in using His people. He invites us into His mission and equips us with everything we need.

But the keyword is “invites.” He’s not sitting around hoping we finally get serious. He’s actively pursuing us, drawing us, preparing us.

And even when we resist, run, or hide, He’s not waiting. He’s working.

If You're Feeling the Weight...

So if you're tired of trying to be "available enough" for God, take a breath.

He’s not waiting on you, He’s working in you.

And if you feel Him drawing you today, that’s not your moment of brilliance. It’s not because you finally got it right. It’s proof that He hasn’t given up on you.

He moves first. He brings life. And He finishes what He starts.

You don’t need to chase Him down. He already came for you.