God's ETA

Nobody likes waiting. Nobody. Not for anything.

The line going into the parking lot of a store having its huge anniversary sale.
Waiting for your kids to get whatever stuff they think they "need" before walking out the door.
The traffic stop with highway patrol.
Customer service phone call for your internet service provider (or the actual time lost waiting for their technician)

How many other industries have you been given an expected 4-7 hour window for service that will be completed that day. Car repair perhaps, but as a matter of complexity, that's understandable. At any rate...

Some things just can't be rushed. I reflected on this yesterday, considering the opening for a youth pastor that now exists at our church. Incidentally, we prayed last night, that indeed, this would not be a decision that would be rushed, but in God's perfect time, the right person at the right time, perfectly suited for the position... as Pastor stated, filling a ministry position is slightly different from filling one at a Fortune list company.  There's a thing... a calling element in the equation to consider. Prayerfully at that.

Interestingly enough the past couple of nights I've been watching clips on YouTube of my favorite TV show (postponing starting the series over on Netflix) They go through a similar process. A heart attack means someone needs to step in as Chief of Staff. Once that person has done so, a new vacancy exists. They go through the process to quickly fill the position. Until someone comes along and says, "No... you don't want to rush this".

Let's make this work; we can change some things; I'll help you. In the meantime, let's conduct a real search, not this hurried hack-job, let's throw someone in there. They won't last and you'll have wasted a ton of time and energy and be right back where you started.

It happens all to often in life. We can get in a hurry to make a decision just because we can't take it anymore and make a bad call. A job change. A major purchase (ie. house or a vehicle) We can make a rush call on a relationship that can really turn one's life upside down in short-order. And for those who place their faith in God; even though, one can miss and get a head and step out in ways and means that God never intended.

All because we couldn't take it any longer. We couldn't wait any more.

Yet, that's exactly what He desires.

Waiting is not inactivity. It's faithful handling what's in front of you until God says, now go here and do this. We just have to be ready for Him, for when that might happen. And be ready if it doesn't happen on our timeline. For it rarely does.

HIS. PERFECT. TIMING.

Perhaps the only thing, truly worth the wait.

Pray, this #deaconThursday, that none of us, especially church leaders and pastors would rush decisions; particularly when it comes to matters of ministry, where the consequences could impact eternity. Pray for a discerning spirit, for such instances as staffing and pastoral/leadership positions within the church... may it not just be a matter of opinion of who the best person is, but as our church prayed, that there would be a calling; for such a time as this.  May there be a reliance and a greater trust in the timing of God and a good measure of faithfulness in the meantime. May we not be found inactive as we wait on God; but wise in our awareness of how God is moving and a sensitivity to His leading, through the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Pray... that the only call we rush to make is upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we seek Him first; then allow Him to bring the rest; whatever we have need of it. To be used for His glory. For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

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