Ruth Chou Simons is an artist, entrepreneur, and author of “Now and Not Yet: Pressing In When You’re Waiting, Wanting, and Restless for More.”

PEER: What inspired you to write this book?

RUTH CHOU SIMONS: Social media and comparison can easily cause us to feel behind or miss the Good Life. We can be so eager to move past the difficult parts of our lives that we forget how God is purposeful amid our waiting, wanting and restlessness for more. I wrote this book to help readers press into the tension of not being where they want to be—and to start where they are.  

P: Have you ever felt restless while waiting, and can you share about it?

RCS: I remember feeling restless in my early married years when I was so ready to “do something amazing” with my life but found myself in a season of waiting. I couldn’t have imagined then that God would choose to use my love for art, words and the Lord decades later in the work that I do now.

P: How has your faith helped you with that restlessness and waiting in the “not yet” season?

RCS: I’ve learned to go to God with my longings, disappointments and fears. And when I look for God’s character in the Bible, I find that God is a God who delights to show us His faithfulness in our not yet circumstances.

P: Your book discusses being in the present and pressing into the “right now.” How can young readers press in their “right now”—especially amid difficult circumstances?

RCS: One of the best ways to start where you are is to stop focusing on what you don’t have but what you’ve already been given to steward. If God’s given you one friend, start with that friend. If God’s given you one opportunity to bless someone with your artistic skills, start there. If God’s given you one person to disciple, begin there. Don’t wait until everything is perfect or the opportunities look how you expect them.

P: What advice do you have for the person in this “not yet” season who is feeling restless?

RCS: Don’t check out or try to skip this uncomfortable season; use this time to grow. Of course, I’d encourage you to read the book and do the coordinating Bible Study that’s coming because God’s Word gives many examples of how He is enough when we’re restless!

P: How can young people balance preparing for the future and still find the deep rest that Christ offers us?

RCS: I wish I could go back and tell my younger self to stop worrying about the future and to be a good steward of today. “Someday” is made up of thousands of “right now” choices, so just choose to be faithful to what you will do today. Pray about tomorrow, but actively choose to follow Jesus today.

P: Do you have any other advice or encouragement to share with Peer readers?

RCS: Consider how much time they give away each day to social media and choose to invest more intentionally in the local church community, mentoring relationshipsand friendships in their day-to-day life.

P: What’s your go-to self-care tip for when you’re feeling overwhelmed?

RCS: To put my phone down and go for a walk.

P: What (or who) are you currently listening to?

RCS: In terms of music, I’ve been listening to quite a bit of CityAlight and Christy Nockels.

P: What’s a Bible verse that’s been on your heart recently?

RCS: Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV), “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”