This is Urgent!

“But I need this now!” The demands of instant gratification have permeated our mindsets and are displayed in our lifestyles. Many of us live with the concept that we must have our desires met with immediate results. Time is a valuable commodity. Why should we have to wait?

The majority of my life was spent in the Northeast, where waiting is not tolerated. Most businesses make sure that their customer’s needs are handled promptly. Anything less would plummet a company into bankruptcy. I must admit that patience has never been one of my excellent characteristics.

When I relocated to Florida, I was annoyed by the slower pace of life. I found a job in a faith-based retirement community that provided health services to its residents. There was never a dull moment. I enjoyed the fast-paced environment and interacting with the senior residents. At the end of 90 days, I reached a crossroads that made a difference in my life. During the performance evaluation, the Administrator explained that the residents were pleased. Still, I was task-oriented to the point that I didn’t recognize the need to have relationships with coworkers.

It took much effort to incorporate building relationships into my work ethic. I learned to enjoy interacting with my coworkers, who taught me how to have fun. The benefit of slowing down opened my eyes to learn an alternative way of thinking. No, I did not enjoy waiting but realized that it was not the end of the world if I had to slow down. God allowed me to see that the learned behavior of “hurry up” was detrimental to my well-being. But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Many years later, I reflect on the learning process of the benefit of patiently waiting. I suffered unnecessary consequences because of living in a state of urgency. When met with challenges, I prayed for God’s intervention but moved forward with my plans. God is not available on demand. Prayer is a privilege. It is establishing a relationship with God by being open and honest about our lives and inviting Him to resolve our dilemmas.

Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

When we ask God for help, we are relinquishing our approach to resolving the problem. Faith is believing that God will make the impossible things possible. Yes, your answer is correct, “Wait, wait, wait on the Lord.” “For My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways, my ways” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts…” Isaiah 55:8-9

God is still working on me. The consequence of impatience has impacted my life more than I care to admit. My prayer is to completely overcome the troublesome fast forward mindset that has interrupted my peace of mind for years. But God in His infinite mercy has allowed situations to arise in my life where I do not have a choice. I have to wait. Patience is a Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23. Our characters should reflect the character of Christ. In studying the Bible, I have never come across a situation where God did not require patiently waiting in faith.

Do you desire peace? Then slow down and walk through life on bended knees. Wait on God to provide His Divine intervention for as long as it takes. But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:25. The promises of powerful blessings are available when we slow down and wait on God.

Bible Reading: Psalm 27

God, we thank you for the privilege to approach you in prayer. We ask for forgiveness of the sin of impatience. We thank you for the ability to change and ask for strength to possess the Fruit of the Spirit. This prayer we ask in the Worthy Name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the written permission of the author.