Billy Graham once said, “Each life is made up of mistakes and learning, waiting and growing, practicing patience and being persistent.”
That is so true, have you ever rushed into something without thinking or planning? How did it go for you? Well, I have a lot of stories if you have all day to listen! LOL! I’ve made a lot of mistakes and learned a great many valuable lessons. What I have found to be the hardest of all those things Billy Graham listed is to wait, and I would venture to say that’s the same for most of you. Waiting tends to stretch us uncomfortably. But it’s good for us because we don’t grow as much when we are comfortable. Let’s look at one bible character that had to wait patiently.
Think about Noah, if he had tried to get off that boat because he just couldn’t stand to be in it anymore, (you can’t blame him, the noises and smells, oh my) the story of humanity could have ended much differently. Genesis 8:12 He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him. Noah and his family were on that boat 272 days with all those animals. Now I like animals as much as the next person but eating and sleeping with those big animals 272 days and nights, not so much. It had to be really hard for Noah to wait on the Lord to dry up the earth. Yes, God shut him in but we all know humans can wiggle and squirm their way out of a lot if they set their mind to do so. But Noah waited patiently on God because Noah could not see outside the boat to see what was going on, he had to trust God perfect timing.
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 33:20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
I have found that the best way I can wait on something is to say to God, “Take this and make it work Lord, I can’t handle it on my own. I cannot patiently wait unless I give it up to you, so take it Lord!” Remember, only God can see what’s outside your boat.
I remember many years ago I was late leaving the house for work because I could not find my keys. I was very sure I left them on the table. Time was ticking away and I eventually found them on the floor. Of course, I was upset and aggravated. As I was driving down the highway to work, I came upon a bad accident that had just happened and I was only 6 cars away from it. Now some may say that’s a coincidence but I immediately felt humbled. I felt strongly that the Lord had been looking out for me. Timing was everything for me that day. Yes, it had to do with a delay not a long wait but there have been many times after that over the years where I have been stuck in a traffic or some other reason I’ve had to wait and that day came to mind. Get this please… We will never know what we have been spared by waiting.
So, for our best life here on earth, we need to learn from our mistakes, grow in the waiting and be persistent in prayer or we may find ourselves unable to stay in the boat to see God reveal the blessings of His perfect timing.
Prayer
Lord, help us get better at waiting. Draw us back into your shelter where it’s comfortable and safe to wait as in Psalm 91. May we be more like little children, playing, eating and sleeping without overwhelming concern because we lay our worries at your feet. May we have the patience and trust of Noah. Thank you, Lord, for being patient with us. In Jesus’s name, amen.
God Bless
Sally
