Our God does not see time as we see time. We learned yesterday that we cannot lean on our own understanding. God’s ways far surpass anything that we could ever assign understanding to. The mere fact that, “a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day,” is beyond mind boggling for our human brains. God has a promise for each of our lives. His promise is waiting for us to grow, change, and be transformed in mind and spirit so that we can take on what He has for us. His promises can be small and grand. He is with us each step of the way. Giving us pieces as we give Him the pieces of our lives. If ever we feel like things are moving slowly we should give Him praise and be grateful that He is preparing us fully, not leaving anything to chance. The world around us wants us preoccupied with staying hurried and on a specified timeline. That is no way to live freely. That way of life will always leave us feeling trapped, overwhelmed, and guilty if we do not meet the standard. God lives outside of the standard. He sets a different standard. Let’s live with Him outside the lines.
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV
Embracing life with God ensures that nothing will ever be too much for us. When we believe from the depths of our hearts, God will come through. That might be the biggest area that we all lack in our faith. Believing that we have already received what we prayed for. Maybe we think that is too audacious or that we aren’t allowed to be that presumptive. Whatever the case might be, God calls us to have big faith. Faith that sees the unseen coming to pass. We cannot make sense of how and when we will receive the answers or solutions we pray for. He is trying to get us to look beyond time. Time is fixed. God is infinite. He wants us to live with Him in the world of eternity. When we live with the perspective of eternal life, our minds and hearts can find far more patience and peace for all the things we pray for. Not to mention we have the opportunity to get better at all the God-like qualities that show others God’s goodness, like forgiveness.
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Mark 11:22-25 NIV
A Story of Timing:
I always knew I wanted to have a son. I of course didn’t want to come across ungrateful for being gifted a child, no matter if they were a boy or girl. When I became pregnant with my first child my husband and I decided to wait until birth to find out who our little one would be. Boy or girl we would love this child and be so grateful for the gift of their life being placed in our hands.
I continued to pray for a healthy child, pregnancy and birth. God knew my heart. Although I didn’t speak about it out loud I often saw images of our life with our little boy. The day of birth arrived. When labor was over I was elated and exhausted. Then I heard my husband say we have a boy. I couldn’t believe it. God gave us a boy.
Since then we have had 2 more children. We waited each time until birth to find out if we were gifted a boy or girl. Each pregnancy was very healthy and labor went smoothly. To my complete surprise we had 2 more boys. God didn’t just give me one son, but He gave me 3. I still don’t know if it was me believing in what I couldn’t see, but I do know that my faith in God has grown exponentially with each child.
- Anonymous
Strengthen the Christian Planner Family by sharing your experiences. We'd love to hear a story about God's work in your life. Use the form linked below to submit your story.
Considerations for your planner:
- Do you feel hurried today? Write down what is imposing these time standards. Ask God to help you live on His time.
- What are you believing big for? Write down something you have been praying about. Then write down that you have received what you asked for. Keep doing this practice until you know it in your heart.
