Sumter Pastor Clay Smith: Why God makes you wait...

Have you ever wondered why God makes you wait? God does not deliver in two days like Amazon Prime. Why?

Sometimes God makes us wait because we are not trusting. When we do not trust, we feel tension. Our requests are really pleas to relieve our inner tension. We falsely think that God is supposed to make us comfortable. Tension isn't relaxing, but it is an opportunity for faith. What if God is making you wait so you can increase your faith? Maybe increasing your faith is to get you ready for a big challenge that is coming. You don't see it, but God does.

Sometimes God makes us wait because we are not ready to receive. God wants to bless us, but there is a major spiritual issue we haven't dealt with, or there is a priority we've let slip, or we need to grow some character to be able to handle what God wants to give us. When this is the case, God will make clear the growth step that is required if we listen. When the growth step is clear, take the next step! I wonder how many blessings of God we miss because we will not do what is needed to receive his blessings?

Sometimes God makes us wait because His timing is better than ours. God sees how the whole picture will unfold. If He sends the blessing now, other pieces of the puzzle will not fit. God understands our limited ability to see the whole picture. Ask God to help you see more of His picture. When you cannot see, let your waiting grow understanding of His ways, which are higher and greater than ours.

Sometimes we think God is making us wait when God is actually telling us "No." You may be praying for someone to fall in love with you and think God is telling you to wait, but He is actually saying, "No, she/he is not the person for you." Ask God to help you accept His will and His "no." A wise old friend once told me, "You are better off wanting someone you don't have than having someone you don't want."

Sometimes God makes us wait because He wants to make it clear that He is the one who makes the promise come true. If God gave us the fulfillment of His promise as soon as we asked, we would be tempted to think we controlled Him. Human beings do not thrive when they believe they are in control. It is not our actions that make things happen but His. Ask God to remind you of the ways He is in control.

Sometimes God makes us wait because someone else isn't ready. This is hard. We're ready; God's ready. But someone else is involved. This is hard, especially if we can identify the other person and know what they need to do to be ready. It is tempting to lean on the other person and berate them into being ready. This never works. Even if the person never takes that step of readiness, God will find a way to work His plan. When you are waiting for someone to get ready for God to move, pray for him or her. Pray for patience for yourself. Remember how patient God has been with you.

Sometimes God makes us wait for reasons unknown. Isaiah cries out, "His understanding is beyond searching." God's ways and timing can be a mystery. Our minds are not all-knowing, and we are not all-powerful. When you can't find any other reason why God asks you to wait, stand before His great power and knowledge and honor Him as the God who is infinite and therefore beyond understanding. Remember, he has a peace that passes all understanding, and that peace will guard your heart.

While you wait, remember these other words of Isaiah: "They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint."

The time comes when waiting ends. Strength is renewed. You soar. You run your race. You continue your journey. You are not alone. Weariness and weakness fall away. God is with you.

The Rev. Dr. Clay Smith is the lead pastor of Alice Drive Baptist Church in Sumter. Email him at claysmith@adbc.org.