You may have heard the saying-and I know I have used it numerous times:
God is seldom early but He’s never late.
That speaks to one of the hardest things we have to do, whether we are a Christ-follower or just a traveler on the earth:
W.A.I.T.
We are not a patient lot. Just look at our eating habits. Microwave ovens. Get food done faster (although some foods don’t heat up well. Pizza tends to get rubbery). Microwave meals. Insta-pots (Jo uses hers a lot). Instant oatmeal. Instant coffee (I don’t drink any coffee at all. Can’t stand the taste of it). Self-checkout at the stores (usually faster than standing in one of the few lines open at WM or some grocery store). Instant potatoes (talk about fake!). E-filing our taxes and direct deposit the refund (guilty as charged). The list goes on and on. We are accustomed to getting things now…not later. We are not kin to waiting.
“Hurry up and wait” seems to be the order of the day.
The saying I mentioned earlier-“God is seldom early but never late”-is often used when someone wonders why it is taking so long to get an answer from God. It’s like, “C’mon God! I prayed yesterday and I’m still waiting!” 🙂 And so we continue to wait.
Patience is not our strong suit. We want an answer and we want it N.O.W. We need to keep in mind that God’s timetable is not always ours. As much as it pains me to say it, from time to time God’s best answer for us to W.A.I.T. “Slow down,” He says. “Don’t be in such a hurry. I have your best interest in mind.”
There is a great Scripture in Galatians 4. In verse 4 it says, “But when the right time came, God sent His Son…” (NLT) That phrase “But when the right time came” is so important. (There are several historical events that show why this is true, but this is not the time to state them. Maybe another time). Jesus came at just the right time.
God always shows up at the right time. Not early. Not late. Trust Him. Don’t rush Him.
And waiting is truly for our benefit. It builds endurance to keep running our race.
100% true Diane.
Dick and I were just talking about how we are not good at waiting. We become grumpy and impatient when we have to wait for a pokey person blocking the aisle in a grocery store, when a traffic light seems to take for-ev-er to change, etc. Waiting on God is difficult but we have learned it is the only wise action.
It is easy to become grumpy in situations like that Pam. it is even worse when we get grumpy with God. But as you state, it is the only wise action.
I think your last line says it all…
“Trust Him”. If we really believe God is in control and has our best interests in mind… we need to trust Him. That means trusting Him through the good, the difficult, the HI’s, the low’s, the UPS, the downns… It is easy to get frustrated when things aren’t going the way we planned it, however, I need to keep in mind that perhaps… God has an alternate plan and I should always remember His plan is better. That doesn’t mean I sit on my hands, that doesn’t mean I do nothing while I wait… I can still be productive exactly where I am. If the line in the supermarket is extremely long… but I am in a hurry… maybe take the time to slow down and just listen. Maybe there is someone in front of me or behind me that needs a little extra encouragement today.
Be the hands and feet of Jesus… the minute we try to be the Head is when we trip all over ourselves.
Well said Ryan. Trusting Him is not easy. let me restate that: it is never easy when waiting is involved. I like your idea of listening to see if someone needs encouragement or even some help. Your last line is also true. I have tripped way too often.
God’s timing, whether we think it is or not, is always right.
Blessings, Bill!
Absolutely Martha! I just have to remember that.
Bill I have a funny story about a sermon on patience I will have to share with you. We have no patience on waiting on an answer from God, and yet He shows us so much love and patience on everything we do. How many chances does He give us to get something right, over and over. I remember a mom of a friend of mine growing up always saying, God give me patience and do it now. I know I will always be working on being more patient with others, and with God. I have faith that God will teach me more and more how to trust Him, His timing, and to learn to just rest in His hands while He works things out for me.
I look forward to hearing that story Gail. I know of some folks who prayed that prayer with sincerity. 🙂 I have to believe God will teach me more and more as I listen.
Oh, I love this. God’s perfect is always right. It’s difficult to be patient – I learned it the hard way. But it does pay. Thanks for this beautiful reminder.
Thanks for visiting my blog Lux. And thanks for the kinds words. And yes, it is difficult being patient and sadly some of us must learn the hard way.