We’ve all been there. You feel that purpose, a sense of direction, a spark. You feel the “oil”—that divine green light telling you it’s time for a new season.

And then… nothing happens. Or, a closed door happens. You find yourself stuck in the old wondering if you stepped out correctly.

You are annoyed, but anointed.

If you’re currently sitting in that uncomfortable gap between a promise and its reality, you aren’t alone. In fact, you’re in historical company.

The Anointing Comes Before the Appointment

Take a look at the life of David. As a teenager tending sheep, the prophet Samuel pours oil over his head and declares him the future king of Israel (1 Samuel 16). It’s a massive, destiny-defining moment, but he doesn’t live out that promise right after. He continues shepherding and soon is ‘on the run,’ hiding in caves, and serving a volatile king who wanted him dead until he finally becomes king about thirty years later (2 Samuel 5).

 The anointing is your calling. It’s the vision, the talent, and the authorization.

 The appointment is the actual positioning—the moment you step into the role.

Why the delay? If David had taken the crown at fifteen, he wouldn’t have had the character to be named as a man after God’s own heart. The gap isn’t a punishment; it’s preparation and a promise.

Praising in “The Midst”

This brings a whole new depth to the famous words David penned in Psalm 23. We often quote “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” when life is peaceful. But, further down, David writes:

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil…”

Notice the timing. God didn’t wait until the enemies were defeated to set the table and pour the oil. He did it in the midst of the chaos. He didn’t block them from his life, he let them see the anointing in progress.

Being anointed doesn’t mean you are suddenly exempt from opposition. It means you are given the grace, peace, and supply to look at your lack and say, “I have everything I need right now, because God is preparing me for what’s next.” This season is an opportunity to grow closer with God.

Don’t Waste New Oil on Old Seasons

One of the greatest dangers of the waiting room is the temptation to backtrack. When the promise takes too long, we tend to drag our new vision back into our old, comfortable habits, mindsets, or toxic environments.

But you cannot take new oil into old seasons (Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22, and Luke 5:37-39).

The growth you are experiencing right now requires a new way of thinking. If you try to force your future calling into your past lifestyle, you end up spilling the oil. You have to let the old season go to make room for how God is stretching you today.

Takeaway

If you are feeling deeply annoyed by your current circumstances, take heart. Trust God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul (Proverbs 3:5-6).

God is keeping you in the waiting room to protect you, not to reject you. He is ensuring that when you step into the promise, you actually have the character to sustain it. He’s so gracious so we don’t ruin the destiny like the Israelites. Trust the process, embrace the preparation, and remember: you are anointed for this exact moment.

I advise listening to the “It’s A Lot” sermon series from Rock City TV.