No One Likes To Wait

God Is Sovereign over Delays

Dr. Charles Stanley

Proverbs 16:9

No one likes to wait, but have you ever wondered why? It's because delays show us that we are not in control. Someone or something else is calling the shots. Although we may be able to identify the immediate cause--like a traffic light or the long checkout line--ultimately the One who controls all our delays is the Lord. Since He is sovereign over everything in heaven and on earth, even our time and schedules are in His hands.

This means that in every delay, we are actually waiting for God in one way or another. You might have thought that the expression "waiting upon the Lord" applies only to seeking guidance from Him or an answer to prayer. But it can mean so much more when you remember that He controls all your day-to-day inconveniences and frustrations.

In the Christian life, learning to wait is vitally important because until you do, you'll never be able to walk in obedience to God, have an effective prayer life, or experience the peace of resting in His loving sovereignty.

We must learn to trust His judgment--about not just the big events in our lives, but also the trivial ones which cause us to become irritated, impatient, or even angry. If we're sensitive to His instruction, each delay has a lesson.

The next time you face an unexpected or unwanted wait, remember that it comes as no surprise to God. He wants to teach you patience and increase your faith. He's more interested in developing godly character than He is in making sure your schedule runs according to your plans.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

Not There Yet

Bayless Conley

In Philippians 3:12-13, Paul gives us an important insight into becoming complete or mature in Christ,

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected (or complete); but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

As believers, we must realize that we have a way to go.  We have not arrived.  There are still some things ahead.  We still must press on.

But some people have the idea they have arrived.  They don't need to grow anymore; they don't need to study anymore; they don't need to increase anymore.

It is like the true story of a young neighbor who was talking to Albert Einstein at a dinner party.  She asked, "What is it exactly that you do as a profession?"  Einstein looked at her and said, "I've devoted myself to the study of physics."  And in shock she replied, "Studying physics at your age?  I finished my studies a year ago!" 

Unfortunately, that is the attitude many Christians have today about their spiritual growth.  They think they have finished.  Instead, our attitude should be like 95-year-old Pablo Casals, considered to be the greatest cellist that the world has ever known.

A young reporter asked him one day, "You're 95.  The world considers you to be its greatest cellist; and still, at 95, you practice six hours a day.  Why?"  To which he responded, "Because I think I'm making progress."

Friend, you have not arrived.  Set your goal to be making progress every day.  That is how you will become mature in Christ. 

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God 

The Swan - Pablo Casals