The “Yes, But Not Quite” Season: Trusting God’s Timing When You Don’t Know What’s Next
Have you ever known God was leading you somewhere, but had absolutely no idea how you were going to get there? I call it the “yes, but not quite” season . You’ve said yes to God. You know He’s stirring something. You can sense that there’s something ahead, but you’re still living in the middle where the details haven’t come together yet. I first talked about this back in Season 1, Episode 31 , where I shared more of my own experience walking through a “yes, but not quite” season. If this conversation feels familiar to where you are right now, I’d encourage you to go back and listen to that episode too. In this episode of Perspectives Into Practice , I sit down with my new friend Carolyn Jones to talk about what it looks like to actually live in that space, trusting God without trying to force the next step. Carolyn is currently working in two very different worlds, serving as the executive director of a Christian nonprofit while also working in customer service at a car dealership. On paper, those pieces might not seem to fit together. But as Carolyn shares story after story of the people God has placed in front of her, we see that there is purpose in where God has us right now, even when we know it isn’t where we’ll stay forever. We talk about recognizing the people God has actually called us to pour into instead of believing every need is ours to meet. Carolyn shares how simply being faithful in her workplace has opened doors to conversations about Jesus, Scripture, church, and faith with people who may never have walked into a traditional ministry setting. We also talk about the other side of the “not quite,” when God begins giving us glimpses of what might be next. For Carolyn, that came through an unexpected opportunity to attend the National Religious Broadcasters Convention, where God opened doors she couldn’t have orchestrated herself. It became a beautiful reminder that when something is truly from God, we don’t have to manipulate circumstances to make it happen. And maybe that’s the hardest part. Sometimes faithfulness looks like moving forward. Sometimes it looks like staying exactly where God has placed us while keeping our hands open and trusting Him with what comes next. If you’re in a season where you know God has called you to something, but you don’t know when or how it’s going to happen, I pray this conversation reminds you that waiting isn’t wasted time. God is still working, connecting pieces, preparing people, opening doors, and using you right where you are. In this episode, we discuss: What it means to be in a “yes, but not quite” season Trusting God when you don’t know what’s next Being faithful where God has placed you today Recognizing your everyday mission field Following the Holy Spirit instead of trying to meet every need Sharing your faith naturally through relationships Why waiting on God is active, not passive Resisting the temptation to manipulate circumstances Recognizing God’s provision and confirmation Trusting God with the small things Why faithfulness today prepares us for what’s next Letting God connect the pieces we can’t see yet One of my favorite reminders from this conversation comes from Zechariah 4, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” Carolyn reminds us not to despise the small things because we don’t always know which small act of obedience will become an important link in something much bigger God is building. Friend, you don’t have to force what God has already planned. If He’s calling you, He will lead you. If He’s leading you, He will confirm it. And if He confirms it, He will provide for it. Your job is to stay close to Him, remain faithful where you are, and keep walking with open hands. If you want to hear more about walking through a “yes, but not quite” season, be sure to go back and listen to Season 1, Episode 31 . You can learn more about Carolyn at https://www.inezhjonesintl.com/ . If God has been writing a story in your life, I’d love to hear it. Visit PerspectivesIntoPractice.com to learn more about becoming a guest on the podcast. And if these are the kinds of conversations you’ve been craving, I’d love to invite you into The Story Haven . It’s our free online community for Christian women who want a place to have real conversations about what God is doing in their lives right now, grow in Scripture, encourage one another, and learn together how to actually live out our faith in everyday life. You can join us at TheStoryHaven.net . If this episode encouraged you, follow the podcast and share it with a friend who might be living in her own “yes, but not quite” season right now.
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