Have you ever prayed for something and when it didn't happen according to your time schedule you began questioning God or became really anxious? If you answered yes then you are a normal human being. The rest of you are liars. ;) But in all seriousness...why do we do this? Why do we expect everything to fall together exactly how WE want instead of waiting for GOD's will? The Bible tells us that His ways are PERFECT, His thoughts are above our thoughts...why do we not believe in His promise to take care of us and trust that He will reveal His plan to us in His perfect timing?
My thoughts go to the story of Lazarus (John 11:5-6). Jesus and Lazarus are close friends, verse 5 says that Jesus LOVED Lazarus and his family. But the interesting thing is that when he heard Lazarus was deathly sick, he doesn't immediately run to his bedside and heal him. In fact, Verse 6 tells us that "Jesus stayed where He was for two more days." Seems a bit odd that Jesus, who has already performed many healing miracles, would not rush to the aid of His dying friend right away, doesn't it?
If we go on to read the rest of the story we learn that Lazarus actually dies while Jesus is away and everyone gives Him grief for not getting there sooner...for not being on their time schedule. But Jesus ends up performing one of His greatest miracles and raises Lazarus from the dead. Jesus knew what He was doing by waiting those two extra days. Jesus could have healed Lazarus when he was sick but by raising him from the dead, He provided everyone with the opportunity for a great teachable moment to RAISE our faith. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
Jesus operates on HIS timeline not ours. So if we start to feel like God isn't moving as fast as we would like in answering our prayers, it's not because He doesn't love us or isn't listening to us...it's because He already has a plan and it is more perfect than any plans we have in mind. We need to learn to trust Him in the waiting.
My thoughts go to the story of Lazarus (John 11:5-6). Jesus and Lazarus are close friends, verse 5 says that Jesus LOVED Lazarus and his family. But the interesting thing is that when he heard Lazarus was deathly sick, he doesn't immediately run to his bedside and heal him. In fact, Verse 6 tells us that "Jesus stayed where He was for two more days." Seems a bit odd that Jesus, who has already performed many healing miracles, would not rush to the aid of His dying friend right away, doesn't it?
If we go on to read the rest of the story we learn that Lazarus actually dies while Jesus is away and everyone gives Him grief for not getting there sooner...for not being on their time schedule. But Jesus ends up performing one of His greatest miracles and raises Lazarus from the dead. Jesus knew what He was doing by waiting those two extra days. Jesus could have healed Lazarus when he was sick but by raising him from the dead, He provided everyone with the opportunity for a great teachable moment to RAISE our faith. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
Jesus operates on HIS timeline not ours. So if we start to feel like God isn't moving as fast as we would like in answering our prayers, it's not because He doesn't love us or isn't listening to us...it's because He already has a plan and it is more perfect than any plans we have in mind. We need to learn to trust Him in the waiting.
