Are you a patient person? I would like to think I am; however, in reality I am not. I have grown up in a world of fast food, microwaves, and instant gratification. The Lord gives me plenty of opportunities to become more patient and as I gain in wisdom and years, I’m learning to be more patient, or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.
I was due for an upgrade on my cell phone and my husband and I felt we needed to get smart phones. We don’t want to be left behind in the world of technology. We spent a few weeks researching them (my husband) and going to the AT&T store to play with them (me) and see what we liked. We decided what we wanted two weeks before my birthday. Mark went shopping for my birthday that weekend and proceeded to purchase my phone and all the gadgets that go with it. I know this because I received a text message on my old phone welcoming me to AT&T and telling me to contact them if I had any questions regarding my new phone.
Knowing he had the phone in his possession and not being able to get it for two weeks nearly killed me. Now I know why I never snoop for Christmas presents. It drove me crazy. Just give me the phone already!
Why do we have such a hard time waiting on things? There is so much to learn in the waiting if we will slow down and allow the Lord to teach us. In Genesis 15:4 Abram was told he would have a son. It was 25 years before the promise was fulfilled [Genesis 21:1-3]. Can you imagine waiting 25 years for a child? If we didn’t see results within a year, we’d begin looking into other options. Sarai and Abraham did the same thing. They took matters into their own hands. In Genesis 16:1-4 we read of Sarai sending her maidservant to Abram for him to sleep with her to produce an heir. Where did that get them? It created huge problems in their household. It begins in Genesis 16:5 and we’re still dealing with the problems of that decision today.
We can count on the promises of God. If He says it, then He will do it [1 Thessalonians 5:24]. We just need to remember we live in the microwave generation and He is more of a crockpot God. 2 Peter 3:8 says “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” God’s timing is not always our timing, but God’s timing is always perfect.
Is there a promise of God you’re clinging to right now? Rest assured, if He has promised you, He will be faithful to deliver. Hang on tight because God NEVER breaks a promise!