We live in a culture relentless devoted to immediacy. Virtually anything we desire can be made ours in an instant. Even the things that may “take some time” can be accomplished absurdly fast thanks to the overwhelming technological advancements of the last few decades. I think God probably enjoys our ingenuity in creating these systems and tools, but we must realize our culture of now does not apply to Him.
Many of us truly want God’s will in our lives and genuinely ask Him to reveal it in prayer, but we want it right this very minute and have been to conditioned to expect an instantaneous response to our wants and desires. When He doesn’t answer us in what we deem an appropriate time frame, we begin to question His faithfulness, our relationship and even His existence. Even a week can seem like an eternity without an answer to your prayers, so a month can feel completely hopeless. Now, imagine how the disciples must have felt after spending close to 3 years with Jesus when he said this to them “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” (John 16:12)
For 3 years, they spent nearly every waking moment with Jesus, the physical incarnation of God Himself, and He still couldn’t reveal everything to them. They could see Him, feel Him, dine with Him, and ask Him questions. For all intents and purposes, they had instant and constant access to the Living God for roughly 36 months and they still didn’t know much about what He was planning to do in their lives. Consider that perspective as you pray for His will in your life and take Axl’s advice to employ a little patience.
Inspired by “Experiencing God” by Henry T. Blackaby & Claude V. King and “Patience” by Guns N’ Roses.
