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
The Watched Pot and the Impatience of Prayer
As I was draining the baptismal, it just seemed like it was taking forever. The pump was running and I know it was moving the water, but come on already. The more I watched it, the slower it seemed to drain. Then I remembered the old adage, a watched pot never boils. Especially when you have a craving for some spaghetti.
The Holy Spirit then prompted me to think about prayer. Specifically the petition or asking God part of prayer. We all know we are to ask God to work in our lives. We know we are to ask in faith. We know we are to ask in accordance with the Father’s will. We also know God listens to our prayers, our praise, our petitions. We know all these things, but a watched pot never boils.
The essence of this adage testifies to our impatience. I bet you have noticed that time seems to slow down, even virtually coming to a stand still when we are anxiously waiting for something to happen.
Our “Now” Mentality and God’s Perfect Timing
We live in a smartphone and microwave world. We expect our phone calls and texts to be answered immediately, right away, we need answers now! As for our food, well it needs to be ready in under 60 seconds. The world moves fast and it’s easy to get caught up in our expectations. Hurry up and boil, hurry up and drain, hurry up and turn green, hurry up and answer.
Too often this translates to our expectations about God. We need a word, an answer, action, confirmation or clarification. We need it and we need it now.
Come on God, I’m counting on You.
Why isn’t He speaking?
Did He forget about me?
What’s taking Him so long?
And just like that, we look for answers, action, confirmation or clarification somewhere else.
Don’t tell me you’ve never done this before. We all have. The issue is not having confidence in the Lord, the problem is our patience. Because we want what we want and we want it right now. Unfortunately (or fortunately) God is not subject to our schedule or agenda. I for one thank God He isn’t. Can you imagine the mess we would get ourselves into? Our impatience is usually the greatest enemy to what God wants to accomplish in us.
The Value of Waiting: Finding God’s Strength and Wisdom
The timing of God is a concept that is overlooked far too often. But when we seek His unlimited and perfect timing, we position ourselves to wait on the Lord. And in those times of waiting, God can accomplish so much in us.
There is always a great value in retrospect. Looking back allows us to see the intricacies, all the little things and the timing that God put together. Not in my timing or expectation, but within His wisdom and His will.
Jason Metz, lead Pastor
