My old fitness training shoes were in serious need of replacement as I used them several hundred times over the years. They were quite beat up and well past their end of life.
Confession: I was tired of them, so even if they did look great, I’d have wanted new ones anyway.
Once I finally decided to replace them, the process was easy. A few clicks, a second opinion from my coolness-judging wife (she ruled in favor of “cool”), a quick double-check on sizing, and the order was placed. I couldn’t wait for my new shoes to arrive! Then the next day, an email confirmation provided the estimated delivery date: two more days. That would mean three more days until I could wear them to the gym in the morning. In our world of same-day or next-day delivery, this seemed ridiculously long.
The irony wasn’t lost on me. Those shoes had been past their prime for months. I was the one who delayed replacing them – yet here I was, impatient over having to wait a couple more days.
Have you ever noticed how easily this happens?
In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:23-24)
In John 16, Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit. He is teaching them to pray and ask, confirming they will receive so that they will experience joy.
How often do we get impatient with God when we don’t receive the timely response we want from our prayers? How often do we delay asking Him (or not even ask) about our heart’s desires? It is just like me with the shoes: The months of delay in ordering them were on me. What right did I have to be impatient regarding waiting a couple of days for the delivery?
What or who do you need to be praying for starting right this very moment?
This is being written from a heart that has been praying over a certain situation for a long time, where the answer is “no” or “not now”. While it has been frustrating and painful, one thing remains: the more I pray over this, the more peace I experience. This is teaching me daily to rely on Him: for His provisions, wisdom, grace, mercy, love, joy, and more.
Have my circumstances changed through these struggles? Not really, but I have, and that is what Christ is calling us toward: to grow closer to him and be more like him each day.