Post by Darlene Aiken
When I was a child, my father used to say that God may not show up when you want, but He's always right on time. I didn't understand that, at all. I especially struggled with this because I had asked for a record player for the longest and it was as if no one heard me. Finally, one day while outside, I remember walking down the block and one of those little see through fluffy flowers that we called wishes flew my way. Older cousins told me that when those came by, you were supposed to catch it, cup it in your hand, close your eyes, and make a wish. That day I did, but this time when I closed my eyes to make a wish, I included God. I knew it was time to go to the big guy! The record player did not come immediately, but once we moved to a house and I had my own room, with it came a record player. It did not come when I asked for it, but when I finally did receive it, it was right on time!
God is all knowing. So, He knows when we're to have the desires of our heart. He also knows when he has to allow us to endure certain experiences so that we may have a change of heart. He allows us to have whatever we ask for as long as we ask in the name of Jesus (John 14:14) because by the time it gets to the point where He makes good on our requests, they're in line with what He'd have for us.
Therefore, there isn't a need for us to covet what others have, (Exodus 20:17 MSG Don’t set your heart on anything that is your neighbor’s.). What's right for others may not be right for us, or at least not at the same time. We must be patient and not make requests based on what we see others possess. Do we always know what others have sacrificed to bear the burden of their possessions?
We need to be more trusting and focused instead of the reverse. Remember, we're to walk by faith, spirit, and Word, not by sight, sense, and circumstance. (2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight). When we are in line with God's plan for our lives, we will come to realize that God has already ordered our steps and laid out our gifts that He wants to shower us with at the perfect time. No one is ever short changed by God, however, because He gives us free will, we can possibly delay the operation and make it seem as if He provides others with the desires of their heart and has some how forgotten about us. Get out of your own way! Stop trying to always be in control! Stop striving for perfection! Does that mean we should just sit down and wait on the Lord? No, it means that while we're waiting we should be productive, not obstructive and realize that God has one for me and one for you! No one is left out!
