Delayed: Going Forward

To my readers:  Even though I have not posted much this year, I remain committed to sharing here about Jesus and helping you learn and grow in your faith.  I encourage you to check out (and like) Faith Journey with Kim: Growing in Christ Jesus on Facebook; join in the occasional discussion on the posts there.  I plan to post in the future on a topic that the Lord placed on my heart several weeks ago.

What does it mean to be delayed?  What is the role of delays in life?  How does God work in and through the times of what seems be quiet and absence of seeing God at work or hearing His voice?  These are good questions to ponder when we struggle to see and to understand God’s will and way for us.   The Scriptures are full of delays—delays that God uses to bring about glory to His name and to show His incredible power and authority.

Time is an interesting commodity—there are 24 hours in a day for each person—however, our view of time and God’s view of time are completely different.  When God is silent we wonder what is going on; we can rest assured that God is present during the silent times.  Delays in our minds are not delays to God—He is there and still at work in us and around us.

And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.  And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.  

(Genesis 11:31-32 KJV)

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Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.  

(Genesis 12:1-3 KJV)

In Genesis 11-12 we read about the beginning of Abram/Abraham’s journey with God.  God called Abram, an idol worshiper, to become the father of a great nation—Israel (and all who come to faith in Christ).  Abram listened to God, however, he did not leave all behind as he was commanded.  Abram’s father, Terah and his nephew Lot journeyed with him and his wife, Sarai/Sarah.  This was not a good idea.  Abram’s journey to Canaan (the Promised Land) was delayed in Haran until his father, Terah, died.  Interestingly, Terah’s name means “delayed”.

In the New Testament, delay is seen in Jesus’ ministry.  In John 11 we read about Jesus delaying a visit to His friends—Mary, Martha, and Lazarus—Lazarus was very ill and needed Jesus.  Yet Jesus chooses to delay His trip, so God would be glorified.  The delay allowed Lazarus to die.  While Mary, Martha, and their friends grieved this tragic loss, God was at work.  When Jesus and His disciples arrived Lazarus had been buried for four days; yet Jesus did not see this as a hindrance.  When Jesus called Lazarus back to life and out of the tomb, God got all the glory!

Likewise, after the Apostle Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, he spent three years in Arabia before going to Jerusalem and meeting the Apostle Peter and James, the Lord’s brother.

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Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.  Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.  But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.  

(Galatians 1:17-19)

Similar to Abram’s journey to Canaan—the Promised Land, the story of Jesus and Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, and the Apostle Paul’s time in Arabia, entries on this blog have seen many delays this year.  However, that does not mean a lack of God working in my life.  During this rather unplanned hiatus I have been learning, growing, developing in my faith and actively serving the Lord.  Moreover, I am sensing some gentle, easy to miss/ignore nudges to grow and expand in ministry.  This will take time—time in prayer to discern God’s desire, to vision, and to dream.  Please watch, wait, and pray with me during this season of discernment. 

In the meantime, take comfort in knowing that God is always in control and during those seemingly interminable times of delay, God is still there and still working for you!

Please stay tuned for posts that will come in God’s time—God is at work and has plans for this blog and more!

When have you experienced delays in your walk with the Lord?

Please join with me in prayer:

Lord of Time, Thank You for the story of Abraham and others clearly showing us how delays are not the end of the story, but are simply part of the greater story You are writing with our lives.  It is clear that You use delays to work in the lives of Your children.  Help us to not fear and to simply obey Your clear word to us and wait on You to provide direction at just the right time.  Thank You for using delays to grow us into the person You desire us to become.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim