Within the past month, a close friend of mine and I met up for dinner. While I knew we’d be catching up, what I didn’t know was that she was in a place I once resided in emotionally. So, we discussed it and I shared with her an epiphany I’d had a little over a year ago. A lot of it had to do with recognizing, coming to terms with, and accepting that some of those things we want so deeply can take time to come into fruition. God has a plan specifically tailored to you – just trust in Him!
Psalm 37:4-6 gives us a promise:
“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”– Psalm 37:4-6, NIV
We must also be confident and trust that if we do our part, God will honor His promise.
“Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” – Joshua 21:45, NIV
Even if you have had a desire in your heart for what seems like forever, God knows it’s there. If it seems like God has forgotten or not acknowledged that desire because it feels like it’s been just that long, He hasn’t forgotten and He’s well aware. We must remember that His time is not our time. Just keep doing your part and prepare for what’s to come – don’t turn your back on Him because you don’t think it’s coming fast enough! Any distrust in Him could ultimately lead to what we perceive to be a delay in blessing. (Think about the Children of Israel and their desert experience.)
Ironically, a sermon I recently heard in church titled, “Have A Seat in the Waiting Room” pretty much drove this home even over a year later. An idle wait could cause us to potentially fill our minds with questions of why we’re left waiting or ponder why God is causing us to wait when He’s been so quick to answer other prayers. However, one of my favorite quotes from Dr. Ron Elmore, who delivered the message, indicates, “God may not be trying to teach you a lesson, He may be trying to [show] you Him.” So, also consider this a time to draw closer to God!
Although I’ve continually remained confident in knowing that God will grant me what I have been desiring for YEARS, it wasn’t until this revelation that I began to feel any kind of confidence about what happens in the in-between. At that time, I realized just how happy and overjoyed I would be when those days I’m looking forward to actually arrive. But, that became a focus – the happiness I’ll enjoy when those occasions arrive and not concern over what’s to happen between now and then. And, that’s keeping me happy.
So, what about you?
Keep your head up! Don’t dwell on what’s NOT happening RIGHT now; and, more importantly, don’t allow it to become an idol. Look forward to the joy that will await you when our Father has finished “polishing” your desire to the point that it “shines like the dawn” and is ready to be presented to you. It will be… Tailor Made!
