God’s timing is often hard to understand. When Google offers quick answers to our questions, it can be very difficult to pray and wait on God’s timing—especially when it involves months or even years! The instant access to news can be quite discouraging as well. Why doesn’t God do something about all the evil in the world? We are tempted to say to ourselves, “If I were God…”
Perhaps it might help to take a step back and consider who God is. Could any of us have figured out how to create a spider that designs and builds intricate webs? Could we have created a caterpillar that grows wings while secluded in a very constricting chrysalis, in just a matter of weeks?
Romans 1:20 (TLV) says: “His invisible attributes—His eternal power and His divine nature—have been clearly seen ever since the creation of the world, being understood through the things that have been made. So people are without excuse.”
God has made Himself known to us through His creation: the staggering number of insects, animals, birds, reptiles, not to mention all the hundreds of thousands of flowers, trees and varieties of vegetation. Add to that the billions of stars, atoms, electrons, and molecules.
I was a brand-new Christian when I entered medical school. Studying the human body confirmed on every level (chemically and physically) that only an intelligent, personal, divine Creator could have fashioned our incredibly complex bodies. We are unique among the living species, made in His image. What a gift!
When I find myself frustrated at having to wait for my prayers to be answered, I need to remind myself that since God created every minute detail in this overwhelmingly amazing universe, surely He has a reason for the wait. He is trustworthy. His timing is perfect, even if I don’t understand it.
So don’t give up hope or cease praying. Every day brings us one day closer to His answers. They are coming soon!
This Christmas season, I have been thinking a lot about what heaven is like, and how amazing it was that Jesus lived in a perfect, sinless, joy-filled paradise—yet chose to leave His home in heaven to be born in the flesh, in a lowly manger, knowing His life on earth would end in an excruciating crucifixion. He did that because God loved you and me so much that He sent His Son here so that whoever would accept His sacrifice on the Cross for their sins, would be blessed with eternity in heaven where there are no tears, no sadness and no sickness.
Something else is coming soon—Christmas! I hope you will join me in giving thanks to our loving, creative, heavenly Father and His gift to us—His Son, Jesus the Christ, the Messiah.
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Great post!
I still read your book and I hope you will write another one.
Thank you, Carol! I appreciate your encouraging words. It makes the work of writing so worthwhile to know it blesses someone else.