Sometimes God’s delays feel like a game of keep-away. I’m like a pesky little kid making pathetic little jumps for my heart’s desires while he waves them just out of reach and taunts, “What’s the magic word?”
Of course, this isn’t true. But it feels true.
Wherever there was teasing in my family growing up, there was usually an admonition to know when to quit. I’ve often thought it would be nice if someone–maybe a Heavenly Mother–told God the same thing. “All right, dear. She’s crying. I think she’s had enough.”
Except God isn’t teasing when he withholds my dreams. He’s executing carefully laid plans. His reasons for saying, “Wait,” have nothing to do with amusing himself by watching me chase a dangling carrot and everything to do with…
Well, that’s kind of been my problem. What are his reasons?
Just Desserts?
If I Google, Why isn’t God answering my prayers? (maybe not the best method of answering that question, but when God’s not speaking…hence, the question; hence, Google) I find suggestions like these:
- You’re asking for the wrong things.
- There’s sin in your life.
- Your motives need work.
- You don’t have enough faith.
- You’re not ready!
Thanks a lot.
No one with a broken heart wants to hear they only have themselves to blame. Take it from someone who knows.
It might be true, though. That list is scriptural. Sometimes we really do miss the mark, and it takes a strong person to see it, acknowledge it, and make a course correction.
But just because there might be truth here, it doesn’t mean this is all the truth there is. God’s delays go way deeper than a bunch of unworthy recipients.
How God’s Delays Make Me Feel
Isaiah writes, “…in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me.“
To be in the shadow of his hand is desirable. It’s protection, not prison. A place of preparation, not punishment. (Wow! Alliteration not intended. There are a lot of ‘p’ words pertinent to this subject!)
But sometimes it feels exactly like that. In the shadow of his hand hath he restricted me. Hid me away because I’m–what? An embarrassment? A threat? Incompetent? Unprepared? When you watch the “free world” from that shadow, all the people enjoying all the things you’re still only hoping for, you relate to Deputy Barney Fife. Your one bullet tucked safely in your shirt pocket because you can’t be trusted with a loaded gun. If you were trusted with a bullet. You might not even have that.
Yes, somehow everyone else proved they could live your dreams, but you–maybe you should keep practicing. [Condescending pat on the head.]
Remember that list at the beginning, though? This could be true. To paraphrase a wise uncle, a parent doesn’t hand a child a sharp knife just because he begs for it. Nor does God shower us with everything we ask just to get us off his back. It’s not because he doesn’t want us to have it. He just loves us too much to let us destroy ourselves. So he leads us carefully, preparing us step by step until we can use what he gives without doing harm.
Before God hands over a blessing, he wants to make sure it will survive us. And that we’ll survive it.
Okay, but still…
I’m over thirty. What have these young newlyweds mastered that I’m still botching?
One truth isn’t the whole truth.
What’s Really Happening in God’s Delays
God has been polishing me here in the shadow of his hand. There’s no question about that. I needed some work, and I am more ready now for whatever he has in store for me than I was ten or five or two years ago.
But at some point the shaft is polished. What does he do with it then?
He puts it in his quiver. Ready for use. But not just any use. He’ll use it for what he made it for.
I’m not saying I’m a polished shaft. Is anyone? Not until we’re dead, and even then, we only make it by the grace of Jesus Christ. But maybe I’m more polished than I believed. Maybe I haven’t spent this whole wait just getting ready. Perhaps I’ve spent a lot of it being ready.
Consider a law enforcement officer, or a firefighter, or a paramedic. These people hold lives in their hands, often their own lives and those of their comrades. They don’t go into the field to protect and save those lives until they’re trained for it. But when they are…how much time do they spend waiting for a call?
If a firefighter isn’t fighting a fire right now, he still knows how. If a paramedic isn’t doing CPR right now, he’s still the guy you want when you have a heart attack.
And if I’m not a wife and mother right now–I’m still prepared to answer the call when it comes.
In the meantime…
Use God’s Delays to Maintain Your Training
Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics don’t spend all their downtime lolling about the station. They spend it maintaining what they’ve trained for. Reviewing old knowledge, gaining new knowledge. Practicing. Until the next call comes.
When that call comes has nothing to do with their worthiness, readiness, intelligence, or ability. It just depends on how the story of the city they serve unfolds. They don’t need to feel left out if another city gets a call first. They’ll see action enough when it’s their turn. And it will eventually be their turn.
We’ll get ours, too. God wrote us different stories, set us in different places. Sends us into the fray at different times, and not always into the same fray. He’s not confused, he’s not biased, and he’s not teasing. He’s orchestrating. Maybe most of us don’t always appreciate that, no matter our circumstances. I’m sure many people feel they’re “restricted” in the shadow of God’s hand as they watch me gallivant about. The grass usually looks greener somewhere else.
But imagine how green it could be right where God planted you if you knew he put you there for a reason. Even if it’s just to wait for the call, he put you there because you’re ready for it. Keep working, keep practicing, keep growing. You’re trained. Maintain it.
He wouldn’t polish you and put you in his quiver if he didn’t intend to use you.
When you’re in a season of waiting, it’s never just a season of waiting. It’s a season of preparation, self improvement, giving, and as always, sanctification. Waiting is not passive. It’s active. Be prepared for what you are praying for. You might not know when, but when God speaks, it can happen in a moment. Be ready.
TheRealSweetSpot
This post is only part of what God has shown me about his delays, and what he’s shown me is no doubt just a skimming of the whole truth, but if it’s touched your heart and spoken to your place of waiting, leave a comment, pass it on, and be sure to read my next post. Sometimes God is preparing us for the blessing. Sometimes he’s preparing the blessing for us…
Scripture References
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Heather, I absolutely loved this! I definitely felt the Spirit confirming the truth of your words and experiences. So much good here, I will definitely be re-reading it. Thank you for taking the time to share something so inspiring.
Thank you for taking the time to read it! I so appreciate that feedback. As I write, God teaches me things I didn’t even know myself, and the truth is confirmed for me as much as it was for you. I’m so glad it was meaningful to you!