When God Says: Wait Up!

Most of us know the Bible story of Abraham and Sarah. Although they clearly had heard the promise of God to have a child multiple times, circumstances did not add up. They took the promise and “helped God along” by securing Sarah’s servant to bear a son… “just to be sure” the promise was fulfilled. They tried to make God look good. After all, they had left the familiar – home, family, and religion – for Yahweh. It was for “His reputation” and their saving face that they bypassed God’s timing.

Have you ever gone ahead of God’s plan in your life? Most can find at least one time when we “just got it done,” when stepping up the timeline seemed prudent to us, but we lacked faith in God’s timing. Why does God seem so late in fulfilling His promises to us?

Getting ahead of God is easy to do. We are an instant society. Conveniences that our great grandparents couldn’t conceive of consume us. Time has become the currency of the 21st century more than money. We would rather pay than do: for food, childcare, lawncare, etc. These things are not bad in and of themselves, but we have raised the ante on their importance so that we can somehow get a few hours back.

Most women have the natural ability to manipulate, even for the “right” reasons. The goal always seems better than the means to that end. We say things in a certain way, do favors to entreat a positive answer, or stage situations specifically to ensure we will get our desires. The cause is righteous: a positive ending. However, we need to check our ways and means. Not only should we be more truthful to others, we need to be truthful to ourselves. Anytime we try to manipulate a person, a situation, or God Almighty, we are perpetrating a lie that goes south. Remember, God will not be manipulated in any way. He is sovereign and what he says goes…period.

Getting ahead of God does not make things right, no matter how positive the outcome. We must confess and repent of thinking we can somehow see better and know better than the God who created us.

We must quit accusing God of being slow and begin exhibiting the same patience He has. He is not silent during this time. “In a little while…” He tells us to wait because not everything has aligned for the best outcome. (John 16:16)

Who are we to accuse the Almighty of anything anyway? Proverbs 16:9 compares our abilities with God’s:

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

We must have confidence in the God we say we worship and give Him charge of all. Our long-term plans may go awry permanently. Like the couple who saves for retirement and are too ill to spend it on vacations and a house in Florida, we must have a plan toward the goals God gives us but release God to His preferences. We either trust Him or we don’t. The older couple can find other creative ways to have adventures together. I bear witness to ones who create meaningful times within their means and abilities.

God’s timing shows His love toward us. Ecclesiastes 3:1 assures us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” When we embrace His plans and timing, we have His grace to boost us up in the times of waiting. We have a sunrise and a sunset each day to celebrate. We have roses to smell and people to love. What we have taken for granted can become beloved parts of our lives.

God’s sense of timing takes a measure of faith as we acknowledge and trust Jeremiah 29:11-12: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Isn’t God amazing?

So, women of God, stop trying to play God and let God be sovereign over your days, and hours, and minutes. Enjoy what you have. Don’t allow the future to become the present when God has not specifically ordained acceleration of His plan. Let the perfect God bring perfect timing to bear in your dreams and goals for your future. Be bearers of patience to teach those around you as they see how peace has entered your life while you wait.

And walk with Him, not in front of Him!