Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Patience grasshoppa'

I guess it ought to be no surprise that patience is a difficult concept in today's world. If you are hungry, you can get food in three minutes or less by driving down a mini-driveway where your food is served through tiny windows. Or if there's no time for that, you can zap your food with radioactive waves for 30-40 seconds. Who needs good old home cooking anyway? Want something to watch on t.v without sitting through commercials? why not just record everything so you can fast forward through the "wait time". Or how about getting that perfect car without having to pay... Our world is constantly filled with the "get it now" mentality. Even if we don't realize that we are being constantly assaulted with the idea that we should get everything we want right away, it's everywhere.
So it's no wonder that a Christian girl such as I am struggles with patience. We get into the mentality that we deserve instant gratification because we are American, or good people, or worth it, or.... fill in the blank. We get so caught up in what the world is selling that we forget what the Lord has already given us.
Sure, the cliche answer is "All in God's timing". It's easy to say but not easy to do. So often I find myself thinking if I only had this I'd be content. If this only happened THEN I'd finally be ok with where I am in life. Sure life will be good once I get a job... I'll be happy once I find that "Someone special".... Everything will be perfect once I am married.... Life will be great once I have kids.
But this thinking is dangerous. What it is really saying is "God doesn't know what is best for me and until I get __________ I won't be happy with where He has put me in life". That, my friend, is not trusting the Lord. It's not an easy thing, but it's an essential thing. It takes constant work to refocus and realize that God really does know best. His plan for us is better than we could even imagine. And yes it is difficult to wait. But as they say "Have patience, grasshoppa'"

1 comment:

Abby said...

I am so blessed to have such a wise little sister! Thank you for the reminder to trust in God's timing and provision.