Fact, you may be delayed, but you’re still on His docket. He loves you and He hasn’t forgotten you.
So, the Wednesday Word for this Week is PATIENCE!
Romans 8:25, “But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.” (NLT) True story. This morning, I was at my desk working, and my kids were seated next to me on the couch. After I had been involved in my studies, my son sighed with disappointment. Noticing the sigh, I looked over and asked him what (if anything) was wrong. He looked downtrodden and said, "I’ve been doing my workouts, and I’m not getting any muscle.” I then asked (already knowing the answer), “How long have you been working out?” He said with deep despair, “3 days.” You would be proud to know I did not laugh at my son. While his thinking may seem comedic, it is still an honest and proverbial illustration of how we sometimes operate. FACT: We are people who hate to wait. We work out for two days and step on the scale, frustrated every day of the two. Or we look for jobs for two weeks and become depressed when we go without calls. We start businesses and become agitated when we don’t IMMEDIATELY obtain “Wal-Mart” like traffic. And, in the face of all this unrealistic thinking, we then get sad, we become despondent, and in some cases, we even quit prematurely. Why do we do this, you ask? Well, the answer is as sad as it is simple. We do this because we operate like my son. We want results that, in truth, we didn’t work for, yet we (here comes a harsh word) arrogantly act as we deserve. Jesus used Paul to tell us that as we work toward what we don’t have, we must do it with patience and confidence. That means I must learn HOW to wait. So, let’s consider these two waiting elements within an illustrative context. #1: Wait with patience: There are two people in a “waiting” room (the irony) of a doctor’s office. One reads a magazine peacefully, and the other is irate, shifty, and visibly upset. Now, neither person will make it into the back until called; however, only one agrees with that truth. Patient waiting is the assurance that it will come when it’s time, AND there is no measure of frustration that will change this. Therefore, patient waiting demands that we remain steadied and committed to the task at hand, resolving that our desired objective will be secured in time. #2: Wait with confidence: In the above illustration, the second difference is confidence. Fact: both individuals are here because they have an appointment. That means both have a place on the doctor’s schedule. Consider the power of this. The doctor has planned and proposed this date to see them both. He may have encountered an emergency with another patient, a shortage in his staff, or even a personal matter of his own. However, none of these hindrances eliminate the fact that he has a fixed plan to see them. Yes, it may be delayed; however, it is still imminent. Confident waiting is knowing HOW to wait and trusting that WHAT I’m waiting for will come. The Bible says in Matthew 6:31-32, “(31) So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ (32) These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.”(NLT) The point is as pointed as it is profound: You may be delayed, but you’re still on His docket. He loves you, and He hasn’t forgotten you. So, therefore, let’s live like we believe that fact to be nothing less than the unchangeable truth. Work – Worry + Wisdom = Waiting Your thoughts? Let me know below. Peace and love, family. Imperfectly, Kevin D. Jones, Sr. @kevindjonessr
7 Comments
Norris
11/9/2016 09:48:03 am
Patience is not waiting. Patience is what we are doing while waiting.
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K. Jones, Sr.
11/9/2016 11:21:36 am
Very true. Thanks for the comment.
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K. Jones, Sr.
11/11/2016 03:42:49 pm
Very true. Thanks for the comment.
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Minnie Thornton
11/9/2016 10:04:32 am
As a young woman, I remember wanting everything "Yesterday". "Now" was too late! I use to jokingly say " Patience is a virtue..but who said I'm virtueous" . I would laugh when I expounded these words. It's funny (probably not the right adjective) but now that I am old with health issues, I've learned the Art of waiting. Why did it take me so long? Thank you Lord for your Patience with me.
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K. Jones, Sr.
11/9/2016 11:20:40 am
Your words are powerful. Thanks for the comment.
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Ma
11/9/2016 02:37:59 pm
I confess that struggled and struggle in this area. I find myself irritated sometimes when I have to wait in line at Walmart, wait in dr office. I have to check myself constantly. Why are they making me be last to leave every time I come? Why don't they just go on? Just the other day I was in line at McDonald's ready to hurry on through the line. Well, the girl changed her drawer out soon as I pull up. There I go in my mind starting to get frustrated. Why she got to change drawer when I get up there. Lol. Ain't that crazy? Well why not? Who am I? That she shouldn't do it when I pull up. Well these things were going on my mind. I finally got over it. I waited patiently said thank you and went on. Tempted to start huffing and puffing but I didn't I guess I did ok. Right. Everyday there is different struggle. Patience. As a Christian we must have it because God is not on our time. Nothing is in my opinion. Thanks Kevin
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K. Jones, Sr.
11/11/2016 03:57:10 pm
I am a fan of your authenticity! Love you Ma.
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