‘Would you mind holding please?’

Delays are seldom fun … unless you’re in the middle of listening to a great book and you aren’t ready to put it down yet.

I’ll be honest, I’ve been so engrossed in a good book before, that I’ve walked into a store with my earbuds in so I can keep listening to my book. In the winter time walking in a big store and listening to a good book is a great way to get the steps in and stay out of the yucky weather.

Back to delay. Did you enjoy that delay? Probably not. Most of us realize “time is money” and we go go go, like the world depends on us. I’m sure the earth would not stop spinning, if we took an extra 10 minutes to rest!

I don’t enjoy delays when it comes to answered prayers, either. But as I sit here at my desk and look back at my life, I realize in every circumstance where I thought God was late … He never was. He was right on time.

My hubby quoted author and pastor Rick Warren recently in a devotion and said, “Delay is not denial from God.”

God always answers prayers. Sometimes it’s “yes” sometimes it’s “no” and sometimes it’s “not right now.”

Sometimes God uses delay as a long process to make us the leaders and individuals we need to be. Think about Moses. I believe he was pushing 80 when he finally got the Children of Israel to the Promised Land.

The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk shows us that great souls grow through storms. We have to be patient. God’s version will come to pass, and He’s never overdue —  not a single moment or day.

I don’t think the Bible tells us how long Job had to wait for God to make his situation better —  but I’m sure he got tired of waiting.

So what do we do while we wait?  Remember that God asks us to “Be still and know that I am God.” 

My devotion this past weekend said, “Time spent with God is never time wasted.” He also used the example that a carpenter isn’t wasting time when he stops to sharpen the saw. It actually makes the work go faster with a sharp tool. 

He also suggested that when we invest time with God, He makes that time up to us in other ways. Things just run smoother —  all day. Maybe you get everything checked off the ‘to-do’ list. 

Remember that we are not where we want to be (spiritually, physically, financially) but we are not where we used to be. Habakkuk 2:3 reads, “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”

The rest of that chapter tells it like it is for those who don’t treat others correctly. God will make things right. 

So, back to delays. There have been so many times in history where Christians kept saying, “We must be in the last days.” Some have even been so bold as to set dates. But at the time of this writing, I am still typing and have not been raptured out yet. (I started to stop right there in the middle of a sentence. So you would think I was gone.)

Some day, that’s how fast it will happen. Jesus Christ will come for His own, and if you don’t have a personal relationship with God, it will be too late. Don’t delay in making the most important decision of your life. God is not late in His return … He’s just giving someone one more opportunity to accept His free gift of salvation!

Even the snail and turtle made it to the ark for a ride with Noah. What you are hoping and praying for, may still happen. So while you wait, do what the next right thing to do is.

Invest your time with the God of the Universe. He loves to spend time with you! STOP. Read that again. Let it soak in. The God who created all the magnificent earthly mountain ranges, and every star in the galaxy, WANTS to spend time with YOU!