If you’ve been waiting a hot minute for God to do something, this is for you. Sit with me for a second.
I took my rings to the jeweler last week for some necessary repairs. As I handed over my engagement ring and wedding band, the repairman said, “Don’t worry. I’ll work fast. I know you want them back quickly.”
Without thinking, I responded, “What I really want is for it to be done right!”
As I walked from the store, my words echoed in my ears and the wheels of my mind started turning. What had I just said? And to a man I had just met, no less?
Essentially, I told him to take his time with those things that were so valuable and important to me, because I wanted them to be taken care of in the right way. I wanted the work to be done right.
Simple enough…but oh, the conviction set in as I drove away. I realized, with that knot in my stomach that is only from Holy Spirit conviction, that I don’t give God the same courtesy as I gave the virtual stranger in the jewelry store.
I sincerely told the jeweler things I’m pretty unlikely to tell God.
“Take your time.”
“Do what you need to do.”
“These things take time.”
Though I quickly entrusted my rings to the jeweler, I am unlikely to do the same with God.
“Here, Lord. I give You my family.”
“Father, I release my work into Your hands.”
“I trust You with my life.”
What I felt in my gut that morning as I drove home was pure conviction: in a sense, I trust a man I just met more than I trust the God I’ve known forever. I trust a man who’s never done anything to prove his trustworthiness to me more than I trust my Father, who has never failed me. I relax when my valuables are in an expert’s hands, but can’t even seem to unclinch my fists long enough to give what matters most to the One who can do all things.
What’s more, I gave the jeweler permission to take his time to do what needed to be done. But with God? I grow impatient before I even tell Him what I need. I nag Him to hurry up. I tell Him ad infinitum that I need things fixed quickly. I grow restless and question His dedication to me and to the project when it doesn’t finish up when I’d prefer.
But these things take time! Even as I write this, I have one particular situation in mind. I’ve been waiting…waiting…waiting for God to show up and do what He does. He made a promise to me, but instead of saying, “Do what You need to do, Lord,” I question His word and His faithfulness to me. I’m coming to realize, the longer I wait and as my life circumstances change around me, that maybe God has a plan. Imagine that.
Oh, Jess. You have so much to learn. Maybe you do, too?
My friend, God is working. He’s putting pieces together, repairing things, and making preparations even as you become convinced He forgot what He was doing. He’s lining up circumstances and preparing you for what’s next. He’s making ways where right now, there isn’t a clear way.
The promise, though? He’s got it all under control, and when it’s time, everything will come together as it’s supposed to be. Hold on, keep the faith, and wait with eager expectation for the beautiful thing He’ll eventually place in your hands.
It’ll come. These things just take time.