God’s perfect will. . . .

I’ve been praying more than twenty years for the salvation of some family members and friends. Through this, God is teaching me patience. However, I have a small problem concerning my own need that I’ve prayed about for a week and am getting impatient. This says a great deal about my concern for others and my selfishness concerning myself.

I read this morning that I am impatient if I think time belongs to me, but if I realize it  belongs to God, I will have the capacity to be patient. The question is, am I willing to trust in Him when I am living in the middle of the story, or do I want to fast forward to the end? Do I want to skip the struggle to get to the resolution? Or even in the struggle can I be content to trust in God, letting faith in the unseen be my anchor during this troubling time? If I can do it for the salvation of others, what is my problem with waiting on Him concerning a small problem of my own? Where is my faith then?

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Why is it easier to depend on the unseen for someone else and not for myself? Am I so important that I must have God hear me right now? I am critical of those Christians who must have a resolution to all of life’s struggles as soon as possible, yet accept my impatience without thinking I also lack the faith needed to wait just as they do?

God promised to meet all my needs. Do I doubt that He sees my prayer as a need, or that the answer would be helpful? In Exodus, He held back on some vital needs of His people to test them, to see if they would obey Him. Am I so short-sighted that I cannot see this might be why He delays?

This week, an eleven-year-old child said to me, “When we have troubles, God is trying to teach us something.” How easily the flesh forgets that truth. How wonderful that He can speak it through the lips of a little one to someone who is old enough to be her great-grandmother. I am humbled.

My little problem does rob me of energy and enthusiasm, but I must not let it rob me of faith. God is the same God for this issue that He is for all issues. He rules the universe and the earth revolves around the sun at the exact time and angle needed for our lives to thrive. My problems are nothing to such an Almighty God.

PRAY: Lord, You know my needs. Forgive me for thinking that You have forgotten me or that You do not care. Your timing is always perfect and You are good all the time. As Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” I can depend on Your will to be done, in Your way and in Your perfect time.