Me: Looks like you have a busy day.
Prodigal: My calendar is full.
Me: You might want to squeeze in time to read this devotion.
I type in the last couple of letters, and I am finished. A pink block pops up on my screen. I have just finished putting another appointment in my Google Calendar. Google Calendar has been tracking my life for years, and I love the options it gives. One problem remains with Google Calendar.
Even though I have told God He can have access to my calendar, He has yet to put on the schedule the date. and times He will answer my prayers.
Wait a second, you have the same problem? God has not written in purple ink on your soft rose stationary planner? God has not typed out in Times New Roman font on your phone calendar?
What could be going on?
Acts 1:7 (ESV)
He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
It is not that God does not love us, or that He does not care. I use to think that God showing me love meant that He would have a Monday morning meeting to go over my week with me. We would discuss the plan. He would say Jennifer, your friend will be healed on Thursday around 4:00pm. Then let’s say Friday that neighbor of yours is saved. Then you have been praying for that opportunity at work. How about we schedule that at the first of the month. I kept waiting for that meeting, but it just didn’t happen.
I then became confused, upset, feeling I was unloved. Why did God not answer my prayer, and tell me when? Why can I not have everything planned out?
What I learned instead is, that God likes to answer with vague responses that mean we have to lean on Him. Instead I begin to get an answer that says “wait”. So, is that a wait for two hours, or is this something more like two weeks? Then the follow up answer is “wait”. Are we talking about years? The answer remains “wait”.
What I began to figure out, is a lot goes on, in this waiting on the Lord. I have learned more patience, faith, trust in God. I have learned that there can be joy in the process of our journey, and not in just what we receive. It has made me focus more on today, and not so much my calendar of tomorrows. Who knows may be today will be the answer to a prayer? Maybe tomorrow will be.
I believe God cares so much, that he does not want us discouraged in our wait. Sometimes that takes a while to apply in our lives. After knowing these truths, we can still get discouraged, then the Lord uses the body of Christ to remind us again.
We are not alone, and God does have a plan fixed by His authority. We can trust in that Love. In the meantime, let’s wait together. Let’s agree to, keep your calendar, phone, screen open, so that if the Lord chooses, He may pencil in an answered prayer at any time.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentile and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
