PATIENT INVITATION
But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
2 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)
It sure can be difficult to wait. As infants, we waited for our mother’s milk (often with screaming!). We waited (usually impatiently) for the school year to end, then were forced to wait for summer vacation. We eagerly waited to get our driver’s license. We often say things like I can't wait for this to be over, or I can't wait for that to happen, or how can it be taking so long? The waiting never stops!
Peter offers a different perspective. He invites us to lean into the patience of God, who exists outside time and space. God has a deep desire that no one would perish (die apart from Him). God simply moves at a different pace.
Love has its speed. It’s a spiritual speed. It’s a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we’re accustomed. It goes on in the depth of our life, whether we notice it or not, at three miles an hour. It’s the speed we walk and therefore the speed the love of God walks.
Kosuke Koyama, Three Mile an Hour God.
May God’s heart and vision for the world be ever on our minds. May we remain faithful and patient while God’s Spirit slowly, yet beautifully, works in people’s hearts far beyond what we can ask, think or imagine.
APPLICATION:
As you journey today, concentrate on surrendering the timing of things to Jesus. Allow your story to unfold in God’s way, in God’s time. When you feel the pressure to get ahead or experience the feeling of being behind, release those thoughts and worries to God. Ask Him to help you patiently wait while He works things out.
PRAYER:
Lord, I thank You for loving the world so much that You patiently wait for many more to be saved. While we wait, I ask that You continue working in my heart. Change me in ways only You can, and fill me with Your love for the people I see today. For the glory of the Kingdom. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?