“The Scriptures contain many stories of people who waited years or even decades before the Lord’s promises came to pass. What modern believers can learn from the patience of biblical saints like Abraham, Joseph, David, and Paul is that waiting upon the Lord has eternal rewards.”
Charles Stanley
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Habakkuk 2:3
Tied up with a Bow
I have a confession. I am not good at making a bow. I love it when I see a package that has been carefully wrapped with a beautiful ribbon wrapped neatly around it and finished off with a perfect bow. It’s a little work of art.
My early bows were horrible, but after learning a few tricks and getting the ribbon with wire in it, I can manage one that is not too terrible. My cats, however, have something against a nice bow because every day one of them messes with the one on the center of the garland on the fireplace mantel until it is cockeyed and disheveled.
It struck me tonight that maybe they know more than I do. We like everything to be tied up with a bow: relationships, careers, spiritual walk. We want it laid out in a neat and orderly fashion, delivered on time and looking social media picture perfect. Yet, I think God is a little more like my cats.
Appointed Time
Take, for instance, the prophecies regarding the Messiah. There were almost two thousand years between God’s promise to Abraham and the birth of Christ. That is a long time to wait, but God’s timing is not our timing.
I was scheduled to work a temporary job during December. It’s already a busy time with a hectic schedule, but I wanted a little extra cash to get rid of a few bills from my budget. Less than a week into the project, I was tired and trying to figure out how to get it all done. I was hoping for divine energy or supernatural help in completing tasks. Instead I got an email telling me they were already running out of work. Not what I had in mind.
We want things to happen on our schedule, but God is looking from outside time as we know it. He can see things we cannot comprehend. So, when things don’t go our way, instead of complaining that we didn’t get our way, maybe we should give thanks for God’s protection.
When we trust God with the timing, we can have peace in knowing that it will all work out as it should (Jeremiah 29:11). God is a good father who only wants what is best for us. We can trust His timing even when it doesn’t align with our plans.
The Present
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:13-14
It wasn’t just the timing of the Messiah’s arrival. It was the way he arrived. For centuries the Jews had imagined a warrior king arriving in splendor. Instead, there was a little baby born in a manger in Bethlehem. It was not what they had expected.
Sometimes the scenarios we have planned out in our head never see the light of day. Instead, God does something unexpected. The salvation of the world started with the birth of a baby. Then, instead of taking the throne in Jerusalem, he was crucified. Just when everyone counted him out, he was resurrected and took his real throne in Heaven.
Through our belief in Christ, we can have a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). It is a peace that comes from knowing that God keeps His promises, every last one.
It’s Not About the Wrapping
Some of the best presents we will ever receive don’t come in pretty packages. They come in moments of kindness when a stranger changes your flat tire. They come with crooked bows tied by a child. It’s not the wrapping that counts; it’s the present and the love behind it.
When life doesn’t look like you imagined, take heart. Looks can be deceiving. God’s promises will come to pass, and the results will be better than anything you ever imagined. Sometimes a crooked bow tops the gift of a lifetime.
Related Posts: Trust the Timing
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Merry CHRISTmas precious friend. Praying much peace, joy, and love in your day. God’s blessings.