Are we there yet????

Are we there yet? When will we get there? How much longer? Why is it taking so long???? Do any of these questions sound familiar to you? These are traveling phrases. We traveled a lot this summer and it seems like this is all we heard. Our boys don’t like to wait. They are too excited for the adventure to begin to enjoy the idea of waiting in a car for hours on end. We had to constantly assure them that we’ve got things under control, we know where we are going, and we will get there eventually… just relax!

Sometimes it can feel that way with God. We are ready for the next stretch of our adventure with Him, but the ride is taking too long. We begin thinking… When will we get there? Why is this taking so long? How much longer? We have to remember that God is driving and He knows the way to where we need to be. He has it all under control and we just need to trust Him. Easier said than done!

I am not gifted in “waiting” that is for sure. I am a patient person to a point… as long as it doesn’t take TOO long. It seems like in society today, we have to learn the art of waiting. We have to wait for our food, we are put on hold waiting to speak with doctors, set appointments, and pay payments. We wait in lines to pick up our kids, buy souvenirs, get our pictures taken, and go to the movies. We have learned to entertain ourselves while we wait: cell phones have been an amazing time killer, texting, e-mailing, reading… we multi-task well! No matter what we do to distract ourselves, we still have to WAIT.

Waiting is no fun. Recently I had the privilege of waiting in line for my boys to get autographs of the Colts players. We went to the Colts Training Camp in Anderson, IN. Al and the boys went to watch the practice while mommy volunteered to stand in line in hopes of getting an autograph when the practice was over. When the practice was over after an hour of waiting, my family joined me. We stood 30 more minutes and made it almost to the autograph table when they decided to shut the line down when we were only 10 people away from the front. Needless to say it was disappointing. My waiting was in vain.

Sometimes I feel like asking God, are we there yet? Are we at the next spiritual destination you have mapped out for me? Sometimes it can feel like your “waiting” is in vain, but God never wastes anything.  God has plotted the course, sees the map, and knows how far we have yet to go. As long as we are in the car, God is driving, and the car is moving… we will eventually get to where we need to be! Whether you are waiting on a job, a dream to be fulfilled, the perfect spouse, money to be provided, or the gift of a child… God is aware and concerned about your needs. I hope you are challenged in some way today to wait a little longer for His perfect provision as you pursue His best for your life.

Here are some things to remember as you “wait” on God.

1. God has a plan

Ephesians 2:10
"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

God has a plan for our lives and we have not been forgotten. He is working out the details… be patient as He is perfecting everything. He knows what is best for us! Our plans don’t even come close to the incredible destiny He has for our lives. Don’t rush the masterpiece He is creating in you!


2. God’s timing is perfect

God sees the big picture. He sees what we can’t see and knows what we don’t know. Our waiting is a part of the plan. He is trying to get the timing right to bring everything together to completion. God’s timing is not our timing. It’s a good thing because if we went on our timing, we may mess up the plan. We are an impatient people!

2 Peter 3:8
"But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day."


3. God wants the best for us

Romans 8:31-39
"So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?"

God has our best in mind. When we choose to give up, stop waiting, and take things into our own hands, we choose to forfeit God’s best in this area of our lives. God’s best is always worth waiting for!

Put on your traveling shoes. God is about to take you on an incredible journey. There will be some ups, downs, valleys, mountain tops, good days and bad days, but no matter what you face God promises to walk with you through it all. Remember God is faithful and you have not been forgotten. Whatever step you are on the journey and whatever area you are waiting on, God will come through for you.

One thing I’ve learned if nothing else about “waiting” when it comes to God is that it helps develop stronger character within us. It chisels at the core of who we are and helps us to become a better reflection of Jesus to the world. Take this time of waiting to allow God to mold you and make you into the man or woman of God He has called you to be.

Living to leave a legacy!
Julie