Delayed

“Delay is preferable to error.”  -Thomas Jefferson

Recently a storm delayed my flight.  I waited in the terminal as the pilot looked for a calm in the storm.  I finally boarded my flight, only to have the pilot make me wait even longer. Naturally, this can be frustrating when you have somewhere you want to be.  I asked myself, “When am I going to get there?”  That’s when the pilot explained over the intercom that he was looking for an alternative route to evade unnecessary turbulence.  Subsequently, the pilot was able to find the right route so that I arrived safely at my destination.   This story illustrates a biblical truth: sometimes God makes us wait, not to hinder us, but to help us.  He knows that if we got the good thing we’ve been praying for too soon—the promotion, platform, relationship, or opportunity—it would end badly.  Instead of asking God for it, whatever your “it” is, A.S.A.P. (as soon as possible), we ought to ask for it A.L.A.I.T (as long as it takes).  Let God pilot your life, trusting that He will get you where you’re called to be in His perfect timing, but just maybe not a moment too soon.    

In the meantime, let our prayers revolve more around who we are to become rather than what God can give us.  Let this be our prayer today:

“Lord, change our hearts and minds so that You can use us to accomplish Your purposes to bring Yourself glory.  Help us to become the men and women that we are called to be.  Amen.”

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14, ESV).