When it comes to our Christian walk, the situation is no different - the job that is not coming; the children you’ve been waiting for all these years; that wonderful man/woman who doesn’t seem to be coming your way; the financial breakthrough that seems like a mirage and a host of other delays. Do you sometimes feel that everything in your life is delayed? Do you feel that things don’t seem to move as fast as you would have wished (in your life?). These situations are perfectly normal; we all go through such situations at one point or the other. The truth though is that, these delays (no matter how long they take) are temporary – they are not DENIALS and we shouldn’t allow them to define our lives.
The challenges of delays in life are human phenomenon however, the way we handle them and the attitude we adopt towards them can shape our lives either for the better or for the worse. Naturally, most of us cannot stand delays or slow pace of events. Have you ever asked yourself why some Christians are not able to stand to the very end? In a number of cases, this can be attributed to delays in life that were not properly handled.
I would like to use this opportunity to share some thoughts on what I call ‘life’s delays’. As Christians, we need to understand that delays are part of life and God intends them for various reasons and purposes. They are (and could be) very unpleasant as long as they last but eventually, God uses these to help us to grow, mature, trust in Him and eventually glorify Him.
We all go through epics of delays in life and these could apply to any aspect of our lives – I’m sure each one of us can identify some areas in our lives where we’ve been waiting, hoping, trusting, praying, fasting and doing everything humanly possible to have breakthroughs but the situation remains the same. We cry, we ask the obvious questions (why and when) and sometimes we get to the point where Job’s wife got to (giving up our faith). We sometimes become laughing stocks, objects of ridicule and gossip among people; some people ask us (or wonder) why we continue to follow and trust in the Lord. We’re not alone, some of the men and women in the Bible had to go through (endure) similar delays – Sarah, Elizabeth, Abraham, Joseph (just to mention a few). In fact, David, the man who was dear to God’s heart had to wait for about 13 years to become king.
I have been wondering why God allows delays to come our way (in the first place) even when we serve Him with all our hearts. The more I ponder over this and reflect on the lives of some of the bible characters, the more convinced I am that delays are part of God’s design to mould us (as Christians).
Life’s delays are used by God to draw our attention to Him. There are times when we think we can do things on our own, in fact, we are tempted to think that some things ‘just’ do happen (naturally) and as a result, we pay very little attention to God. We only commit these things to God when we realise that the ‘things’ we thought were natural are not that ‘natural’ after all. I also believe God uses life’s delays to prepare us for the challenges ahead – delays could be God’s instruments for equipping us. God used delays to prepare David, Joseph and Moses and I believe God still uses these to equip us. I also believe that some of life’s delays could also result from our disobedience. I can hear you asking yourself why people who have done everything right also go through life’s delays – well; God uses delays to test our love and commitment.
My exhortation to you is simple – when it feels like everyone (and everything) is leaving you behind, take a moment to look back and consider all the other blessings you have received from God. He’s not done with you yet; He’s only using the delays in your life to prepare you and to draw you closer to Himself. Delays are not denials – look up to God, persevere in prayer and fix your attention on Him.
Don’t let the storms and the delays in life shake the foundations of your faith and cause you to do things that defile the word of God – many have taken this course and have regretted or paid dearly for it. No matter how long it takes, resolve in your heart to wait patiently on the Lord – in the end, you can say with the Psalmist, ‘I waited patiently on the Lord and He heard my cry’. At the end of the day, our desire should be to glorify God is every situation and circumstance – it might be difficult, we might grow impatient (even frustrated), we might be anxious but let’s remember that for those who love the Lord, all things work for their GOOD. May the Lord bless and give us grace to handle life’s delays in a manner that will bring glory and honour to His name
God bless
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