What Do You Do When You're In a Holding Pattern?

Have you ever felt as if you were in a holding pattern in your life? I'm not talking about being unproductive necessarily, but just a time or season when it seemed as if you were waiting for the next move, instruction, or directive, and all you could do was, well, wait. I like the illustration of the holding pattern because it really communicates the fact that one of the most important things we can and must learn to develop in our lives is patience, especially when we just want to "get there."

I can think of a few times when I was on a plane and the pilot informed the passengers that we would be in a holding pattern until the path was clear to land at our designated spot. For whatever the reason, a landing was not possible at the time and we had no choice but to comply with the pilot's announcement. As frustrating as it was, there was nothing we could do personally to land any faster or get to our destination any quicker. The pilot was the one controlling the plane, not us. So, while I was in the "waiting room" anticipating my descent, I just continued to do what I had been doing for the past 4 hours - reading, writing, thinking, and planning. I kept looking out my window, observing the beauty of the clouds, the sky, the sun. I stayed in the moment and I became grateful for the moment in which I found myself.

Someone once told me, "Your focus is the process" and, more and more, I realize the potent truth in this statement. Sometimes we get so concerned with reaching the destination that we forget to enjoy the journey, and we should because there are alot of cool things to see along the way. The holding pattern didn't mean we weren't moving, and it also didn't mean I couldn't be productive, right there in that space. I had the power to choose how I would spend my time during the wait, whether I would complain, or whether I would use those moments wisely. I had the power of thought and a pen, which for me means productivity, regardless of where I find myself.

Patience is remaining consistently, constantly the same, no matter what is going on around you. In the day-to-day reality of life, that means being steadfast in what you currently have on your plate while you're waiting, doing it to the best of your ability, perfecting yourself, reviewing what you thought you knew, renewing what needs to be renewed, learning more, and squeezing the juice out every single "now" moment in anticipation of what is to come. The pilot? God. And when it seems we're in a holding pattern, He could very well be clearing the path for us to land at the most opportune time. What we do when we're on the plane is what makes the difference.

the bleeding pen