Delay Tactics…
Nap time or bedtime – words that signal little boys to suddenly find many things to do.
In the end maybe they were successful delaying closing those eyes, but it eventually happened. I learned a life lesson recently that I wish I had embraced long ago. Pastor Todd Mullins recounted the wilderness wanderings of the Jewish people in the book of Genesis. A journey towards freedom from an oppressive past that should have taken three or four weeks, took forty years.
Complaining and doubting had them walking around in circles, getting nowhere. Was he talking to me? My doubting could lead to delays? “But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6 HCSB)
Truly we trust God – just kinda want to help Him now and then. Truly we believe He can do what seems impossible – could He just send a note confirming it’s all good? I’m not saying our doubts altar God’s plan – for He will accomplish His purposes no matter what. But what if our doubts steal our peace, our joy, our ability to be genuine?
And what if our doubts hinder not just us, but those around us? “Remind me each morning of Your constant love, for I put my trust in You. My prayers go up to You; show me the way I should go.” (Psalm 143:8 GNT)
Suddenly doubt, unbelief, lack of faith – whatever we call it, takes on a whole new light. I’ve mentioned before the father who brought his son to Jesus to heal. Jesus inquired if the father believed. The father responded (paraphrase): ‘Absolutely, umm help my unbelief’. Perhaps until we see Him face to face, doubts will rise. But maybe if we acknowledge we could be missing out on a whole lot of blessing, we’ll be able to surrender sooner.
I don’t want to wander in the wilderness. This world is not our home but it is our reality for now. Focusing on the problem = defeat. Focusing on His faithfulness = His answers. Pastor Todd went on to say that God’s uses three ways to lead us to His answers: 1. the problem itself as it grows and stretches and leads us 2. prayer as we believe God for His answer and seek Him diligently, and 3. a person, who may just be the blessing we need. Or who knows, maybe we’re their answer.
No more delay tactics.
parisrenae 