When you order an item online, you are given an expected date of delivery. Depending upon the shipper’s location, the weather conditions, the time of the year, and the delivery service, the expected date of delivery can change. I recently experienced this with an order I’d placed on Amazon. I chose that particular item because with my prime membership, it was expected to be delivered on the next day. Well, when the next day came, I received an email stating there was a delay, and my expected delivery date had changed. To be honest, I was upset. I am sure you’ve experienced a delay in an expected delivery date as well so let’s talk about it!
Patience can be defined as “the ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed” or “the ability to accept delay, suffering, or annoyance without complaining or becoming angry” (definitions quoted from the Cambridge Dictionary). Considering those definitions, in the moment I received that email, I did not exhibit patience. I was irritated and ready to cancel my prime membership for the 100th time this year. I expressed all of my frustrations with the person I had ordered the item for. The response was, “it is okay; someone bought something locally that’s already prepared so we will utilize your item for an upcoming day”. The response was so profound to me for two reasons: it called out my need for increased patience and it showed that God always provides. Let’s expound upon those two points.
Patience is characterized as a portion of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22). That fact lets us know that we must allow the Holy Spirit within us to produce this characteristic. My response to the delay in the expected delivery date was out of my flesh and of a carnal nature. I wanted my package on the initial expected delivery date and not a minute later. And that’s exactly how a lot of us are when it comes to the promises that God has revealed to us. We don’t want to wait. We can’t tolerate delay. We become anxious, upset, and ready to cancel our commitment to God when the expected delivery date is unclear or when we feel as if it should’ve arrived by now. We all need the Holy Spirit to work within us to produce more patience. We have to learn how to wait on God without complaining or becoming discouraged. One thing about God is, He doesn’t operate in earthly timing; He is eternal (2 Peter 3:8)!
The second point is God always provides in His timing (Isaiah 60:22). God is not a liar (Numbers 23:19). What He speaks WILL come to pass (Isaiah 55:11). He doesn’t need for us to check the expected delivery date; we should instead remain hopeful while anticipating the arrival. God looks after His own words ensuring they produce what they were sent out to accomplish. We get so caught up in minding God’s timing that we miss the lessons and enjoyment of the present moment. Do you believe that God is going to deliver “your package”? Do you trust that He is going to show up for you? I pray that your answers were yes to both, but if not, you should focus on solidifying your faith and trust in Him. Let me provide you with some biblical encouragement. In Genesis chapter 22 verses nine through 14, you can read about Abraham. God tested Abraham’s faith when He told him to go and kill his son as a sacrificial offering. Abraham was obedient to God. He made an altar, placed Isaac on the altar, and picked up a knife to kill him. When he raised the knife, an angel of the Lord called his name and instructed him not to kill the boy. When Abraham looked up, he saw a ram caught in a thicket and sacrificed it instead of his son. Verse 14 tells us that Abraham called the place Yahweh-Yireh which means “the Lord will provide”. Just as God provided a ram for Abraham, He provided for the person that I ordered the item for and will provide for you as well.
Know that your package is on its way, and it will according to God’s perfect timing. You must remain patient though. If you allow the Holy Spirit to work within you, increased patience as well as the other fruit of the Spirit will manifest. Waiting patiently on God’s timing is essential during this current season. Focus on maintaining and building upon a strong relational foundation with God. And lastly, submit to the preparation process that God takes you through so that you will be able to steward your delivery well.
Read, dissect and meditate on the above mentioned verses!
Real Talk with Keve 