Is It Time Yet?

Do you have a lack or a shortage in your life somewhere? Do you feel you are missing an essential element or ingredient? Have you sought the Lord for it, spending time in His presence bearing this question to His throne without receiving what you have sought?

Do not let a continuing absence of what you are seeking from God be a hindrance or stumbling stone in your relationship with God. He gives us what we need, always, willingly, gladly, freely, generously, unreservedly. He has already given us His Son, whom He loves above all else; why would He hold back some trifle?

But why, then, have you not received what you are seeking? Many possible reasons exist; we learn of them as we grow in our spiritual relationship. We may not be ready for a particular thing, or *we* may be ready but God is still working to get others ready. The people of Israel did not go into the Promised Land until they all were ready, forty years after Caleb and Joshua were ready. I can picture the two men, as they grew older, continuing to go through the tribes, organizing children's groups to teach them faith in God's promises because they didn't want to wait another forty years!

Part of God's work in our lives as He moves us toward spiritual maturity is training us to seek Him for who He is rather than for what He does. Waiting on Him is not an impatient fretting, nor is it a passive resignation, but rather an attentive, active focusing on Him, learning of Him, absorbing from Him of His nature and passion so that we might serve His purpose rather than serve our time as though it were a punishment or prison sentence.

Invaluable training is obtained as we are tasked by God to do His work with perceived shortcomings. "Lord, I can't do that, I don't have ____." Jesus sent the disciples out with power over the spirits and told them to preach the gospel and heal the sick, but not to take the usual traveling necessities: no money, no change of clothes, no food. They came back rejoicing, having seen the power of God moving in peoples' lives as they spoke the Word in obedience. They were no longer complaining about what they didn't have because their needs were met as they went.

When the disciples grew tired of the crowds following Jesus and wanted some of His time for themselves, they asked Him to send the people away, for their own good, of course, since they were bound to be hungry. Jesus, responding in compassion, told the disciples to feed the people themselves. The disciples were alternately puzzled, frustrated and angry because they were well aware of their inability to do what Jesus told them to. He then gave them directions, and again showed them that their source is not in what they have but in Who they know.

Is there something that you perceive as missing or lacking in your life? Look to God and ask Him for direction, expressing your willingness to obey His leading, and prepare for an adventure in the spiritual realm as God moves in your life, and the lives of others around you.

All-sufficient Father, we speak our trust of You from our hearts and acknowledge your faithfulness and loving provision in our lives. We confess our sometime doubt as we have waited for answers, and we magnify You for Your lovingkindness and forgiveness. We look not to Your hand and what it can give but rather to Your heart and what it expresses. Help us to express Your heart to the ones around us today and help them catch a glimpse of the Lord on His throne.

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