Soul Path Insights

You’d think by now I’d have learned: not every stop along the way will give you what you need in the moment you need it. Yesterday, my niece and I pulled into a shiny new EV charging station at Manawa Bay, only to discover it wasn’t yet in service. For nearly an hour, we poked buttons, re-read instructions, and laughed in disbelief while silently hoping the car battery wouldn’t run out. The station looked perfect—sleek, polished, full of promise—but it had nothing to offer us.

That stop became more than a detour; it became a metaphor. How many times in life do we arrive at something that looks ready, only to find it’s still under construction? How often do we pour energy into things that won’t recharge us?

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When Readiness Isn’t What It Seems

Life is full of charging stations that aren’t yet ready. We put expectations on people, places, or even seasons, only to discover they cannot give us what we hoped. We wait for breakthroughs in relationships or jobs that seem almost ready to “power us up,” but when we plug in, nothing flows. It’s frustrating, sometimes heartbreaking. Yet these moments remind us of something crucial: readiness is not ours to force.

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Lessons Hidden in the Wait

The Bible echoes this truth: “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT). Just because a station looks complete doesn’t mean the power is available. The same applies to our lives. God’s timing doesn’t bow to our impatience.

I thought about that as we stood in front of that lifeless charger. It was shiny, new, and absolutely useless to us. I realized how many times I’ve expected something or someone to be my power source, only to learn that what I needed could only come from God. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “God is too good to be unkind, and He is too wise to be mistaken. When we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.”

Patience in those waiting moments is not wasted. It trains us to shift our dependence back to the One who never runs out of power. Isaiah reminds us, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV).

Even in the disappointment of a station not being ready, there’s a gift. As Maya Lin once put it, “To fly, we have to have resistance.” The resistance reminds us that strength is built not only when things flow smoothly, but also when they don’t.

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Soul Insights

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1. Not everything is ready when I am.

Just because I’ve arrived at a moment doesn’t mean the moment has arrived for me. That gap teaches humility and patience. It’s an invitation to trust God’s timing, even when it feels inconvenient. The delay doesn’t mean denial; it means preparation.

2. Expectations can drain more than they fill.

When I lean too heavily on people, systems, or seasons to recharge me, I set myself up for disappointment. The real power comes from God alone. People and places can support, but they were never meant to be my ultimate source.

3. Frustration reveals where I place my faith.

That restless hour at the charger made me realize how quickly my peace can unravel. Frustration often shows me whether my trust is anchored in God or in circumstances. When I let go of control, I discover peace is possible even in the waiting.

4. Delays create space for reflection.

Had the station worked instantly, we would’ve rushed through without thought. Instead, the delay gave us laughter, conversation, and a lesson that stayed with me far longer than a fully charged battery. Sometimes the wait is the real gift.

5. God’s power is always available.

Unlike the charging station, His supply never flickers on and off. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5 NIV). When I plug into Him, I never walk away empty. That’s the only readiness I can fully count on.

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Final Thoughts

Standing at a lifeless charger, I was reminded that appearances deceive, timing matters, and God is never late. Some stations will look ready but won’t have the power to carry me forward. And that’s okay. Because the One who sustains me never runs dry.

So here’s the lesson I carry home: stop forcing what isn’t ready. Pause. Notice. Plug into the Source who never fails.

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Your Turn

What “charging station” in your life looks ready but isn’t giving you power right now? Write it down, then release it to God in prayer. Ask Him to redirect your trust to His unfailing supply. Let the wait become your training ground, not your downfall.

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© 2025 Amelie Chambord