Podcast Summary: While You Were Waiting featuring DawnCheré Wilkerson

Podcast Information:

• Title: Elevation with Steven Furtick
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Episode: While You Were Waiting (DawnCheré Wilkerson)
• Release Date: June 1, 2025

Introduction and Welcome

The episode opens with Pastor Steven Furtick extending a warm welcome to listeners, expressing hope that the message will inspire, build faith, and provide perspective on God's movements in their lives. He emphasizes the strength of Elevation Church, crediting the faith of its members and leaders, including Pastor Holly Furtick.

Notable Quote:

• "When it comes to Pastor Steven's walk with God, there's always more. There's more hope, there's more faith, there's more creativity." [00:22]

Honoring Leadership and Community Faith

Pastor Steven acknowledges the faith of the Elevation Church community, highlighting the impactful leadership of both himself and Pastor Holly. He invites the congregation to honor them, reflecting on their unwavering faith and inspirational leadership.

Notable Quote:

• "It's the way that she leads her life. It's the way that she leads her family. She's taught me what it means to be a great friend, to stand with people on mountaintops and in valleys." [00:22]

Addressing the Audience's Struggles

Steven shifts focus to listeners who may feel stuck or uncertain, assuring them that God meets them where they are. He emphasizes God's faithfulness and invites the audience to engage actively by turning to Isaiah 40:31, which serves as the foundation for the episode's message.

Notable Quote:

• "If you feel like you are stuck in the middle of a wilderness... I want to remind you today that God sent me here with a message in my heart." [00:22]

Personal Testimony: Embracing the Slow Burn

DawnCheré Wilkerson shares a deeply personal story about waiting and perseverance. She recounts finding a journal from her college days where she had ambitious summer goals that spanned ten years. Despite not achieving everything within a single summer, Dawn emphasizes the importance of God's timing and the continuous work He does during periods of waiting.

Notable Quote:

• "Waiting is not a season. Waiting is life." [Timestamp Example: 10:15]

Biblical Insights: Understanding Isaiah 40:31

Dawn delves into the meaning of Isaiah 40:31, discussing how waiting on the Lord renews strength and enables believers to soar like eagles. She relates biblical stories, such as Moses' 40 years, to illustrate that significant growth and preparation often occur during extended periods of waiting.

Notable Quote:

• "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles." [Reference from Isaiah 40:31]

Living in the Wait: From Bonfires to Incense

Using the metaphor of bonfires, Dawn contrasts cultural expectations of dramatic displays of faith with the subtle, yet powerful, presence of God's work through incense. She explains how small acts of faith and surrender can create a pervasive and lasting impact, much like the fragrance of incense fills a space.

Notable Quote:

• "It's not the fire, but when it's placed on the heat source, the very chemical components transform into something completely different." [Approx. 25:45]

The Fragrance of Faith: Transforming the Ordinary into the Sacred

Dawn discusses how everyday acts and sacrifices become fragrant offerings to God. She emphasizes that believers are called to live sacrificially, not for recognition, but as genuine worship that transforms their lives and those around them.

Notable Quote:

• "Your life is a preserver... you were created to last because your very life is a preserver." [Approx. 35:20]

Personal Growth Through Trials: Testimonies of Renewal

Dawn shares her journey through infertility and the eventual miraculous birth of her children, illustrating how God uses prolonged periods of waiting to bring about significant blessings. She highlights that God's timing is perfect and that He continues to work miracles even in the most challenging times.

Notable Quote:

• "Eight years in, God did a miracle. God gave me my first son, Wyatt Wesley Wilkerson." [Approx. 40:10]

Encouragement to Embrace the Wait

Throughout the episode, Dawn and Steven encourage listeners to embrace the waiting periods in their lives, viewing them not as idle times but as opportunities for growth, renewal, and deeper faith. They stress that God is actively working during these times, preparing believers for greater purposes.

Notable Quote:

• "Waiting isn't a curse. Waiting is an invitation. It's an invitation from the throne room of heaven." [Approx. 30:30]

Call to Action: Surrender and Faith

The episode concludes with a powerful call to action, inviting listeners to surrender their lives to God and embrace the transformative power of faith. Dawn emphasizes the importance of living sacrificially and trusting in God's promise to renew strength and provide support during all seasons of life.

Notable Quote:

• "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles." [00:00:00 - Reiteration from Isaiah 40:31]

Conclusion

While You Were Waiting is a heartfelt episode that intertwines personal testimony with biblical teachings to inspire listeners to embrace the waiting periods in their lives. Through DawnCheré Wilkerson's story and Pastor Steven Furtick's guidance, the podcast emphasizes God's faithfulness, the importance of surrender, and the transformative power of living sacrificially. Key takeaways include understanding that waiting is an active, life-giving process and that God's work continues even when results are not immediately visible.

Final Notable Quote:

• "Together, we serve a faithful God who sees you today and is working in your life even in the waiting." [Approx. 45:00]

Note: Timestamps are indicative and based on the transcript's structure for reference purposes.