April 7 ~ 2 Peter 3:9The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Learning to wait is one of the hardest lessons for small children. And as adults, we often succumb to their whims. Our excuses seem plausible and justified… “It’s just not worth the hassle”…”It’s only this one time”…”I pick and choose my battles.” In truth, we are not any more patient than the child. We are not willing to withstand a few minutes of a meltdown from an overly tired child in order to avoid spoiling his/her dinner with cookies or candy. We let them open gifts early… then end up breaking the budget to buy something else for them to open on Christmas Day, at the birthday party, or for whatever occasion is being celebrated. We tell them they have to clean their room, sit quietly, or perform other tasks in order to receive a “reward”… then we quickly fold and say, “Okay, that’s good enough… you can have it now.”
So is it any wonder that we turn around and expect our Heavenly Father to treat us like we treat our little ones? After all, isn’t that what we think “good parents” do? Aren’t we often more worried about whether our children – or our friends, family members, co-workers – like us than whether we are doing the right thing?
This scripture reminds all of us that God’s ways are not our ways… but His ways are perfect – and so is His timing! So when we want to rush in and orchestrate things to suit our needs and desires, we need to stop and take a look at the bigger picture. We may beg and plead with God for this result or that one. We may push and prod someone to do something we want them to do. And all the while, God may be working things out in a subtle - yet more effective – manner… and we may be totally screwing up the works!
The time has come to give God room to operate. We need to grow up and learn to close our mouths and sit on our hands in many instances. We must ask God to lead us… to work on our behalf… to show us how to proceed. And then we need to be patient and give Him space… to trust His timing… to watch and learn from the Master.
Believe me, I know this is hard. I am a “jump-in-and-do” person… a “fixer.” As a result – I make some pretty big messes of things! I don’t know very many truly patient people. But I know that God can help more of us to develop this trait – if only we will call on Him and trust Him for the outcomes. God has amazing, incredible, perfect plans for all of us. He needs our patience and our help in making them happen… not our excuses for jumping the gun. Are you willing to take a step back and wait on the LORD? He is so patient with us… will you be patient with Him?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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