31 March 2008

Time is of the Essence


So, I ran into town to run just a couple of 'quick' errands today. Basically, deposit my check in the bank and pick up a few things at Wal-Mart.
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Sounds quick enough, right?
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Of course, I am not the quickest to get going (especially on my one day off when I don't have to get ready to be somewhere at a particular time). So, I didn't hit the road until about 3:30 or 4:00. But, just thought: "How bad can it be... really? It's just like 15 min's there and another 15 back. And about 30 min's shopping time... I should definitely be back in time for Gilmore's at 5:00."
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Guess again.
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I got the bank deposit knocked out fairly quickly. But, I'm still just not used to the Wal-Mart food section, so it took me forever to find everything I needed. And it's so HUGE it took me probably 30 min's just to cross from one side to the other! Then, on the way home, I have never hit so many red-lights or been behind so many slow people in all my life. I started to doubt the possibilities of my ever making it home again!!
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And, truly, I was only gone for 2 hours.
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But, it was 2 hours I didn't want to be squandering out in traffic and in the craziness that is Wal-Mart.
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I was getting so aggravated on the way home, at the person going about 20 mph in a 55 and I realized... this is the same anxious feeling in my gut that I've been fighting for no apparent reason? Like the feeling you get when there's somewhere you want or need to be and something is holding you back from it. And I thought: "Bingo. That is exactly how I feel about my life at this point. Like I'm stuck sitting here, just waiting for the okay to go ahead on to where I'd rather be."
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Then I thought back to the last entry I read from "Streams" last night:


Moving the hands of a clock to suit you does not change the time. You may be able to rush the unfolding of some aspects of God's will, but you harm His work in the long run. You can force a rosebud open, but you spoil the flower. Leave everything to Him, without exception. 'Not what I will, but what You will' (Mark 14:36)

And as David Jeremiah reminded me this morning... it is "they that wait upon the LORD (that) shall renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:31).
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So, I suppose in the meantime, as I sit at this 'eternal red-light' in my life, tempted to just 'blow right through it', I will try to remember that the wait need not be in vain. And that, every tick of the clock that I feel is another just wasted and gone, is another moment that makes me that much stronger. And a moment spent in God's will.
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And for that, I am grateful.

5 comments:

Brad and Shana said...

Wow, what a good post. I sure needed to hear the part from Streams. I usually don't read my streams on Sunday, and I only got through my prayer time today...with no time for Streams.

Waiting is so hard, and sometimes is made worse for me by my total lack of control....it just compounds the frustration.

The light can't stay red forever, right?

Anonymous said...

Good post, Jess.

Dianne said...

WOW...I need to remember that...I am THE most impatient person on the road. This is good food for thought. Thanks!

Chanda Canup said...

I stole your quote from "Streams" :) I also noticed you're reading "Breaking Free." That was revolutionary for me...I'll pray for you as you go through it....it will change your life!

Thanks for all the wonderful encouragement! You are a treasure!

Jessica said...

Amen and amen. I'm there, too. At least we're not alone as we sit and wait at the red light.