How long will it take?

Are there things you’ve been trying to fix for years? Have you been begging God to remove a fear you battle? … or replace an unhealthy thought? … heal a gaping hole in your heart?Are you worn out from trying to talk sense into that family member or friend? Have you been praying for God to reach your wayward adult son or daughter? Your husband? Your parents?We can get plain worn out as we attempt to make things better. We try to say and do the right thing. As a mom, I can often feel this way. We see our children’s weaknesses; some of them, we even recognize in ourselves. We desperately want them to avoid the potholes in life… if only they would listen.Once they get to a certain age, we wonder if we’ve done enough. Or we wonder if we’ve done too much. We want to see the fruit of our labor now, but instead we see the antithesis. We’re waiting for the day when we can take a deep breath and know that they’ve overcome their weaknesses. How long will that take?This past weekend, Chris and I had the opportunity to worship at Hillsong New York. The Pastor taught from Acts 9 where Saul encounters the Lord along the Damascus Road. You know the story. Saul encounters a blinding light and is brought to his knees. This man, who has been completely against the Lord and all who follow Him, cries out, “Who are you, Lord?”. Jesus replies, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do” (v.5-6). Saul becomes Paul and everything about his purpose and his convictions change.Saul’s encounter is an incredible reminder that God can do the impossible in an instant. Whatever your impossible is, don’t ever lose the hope that God is able. No matter how long you’ve looked for a breakthrough, it’s not too late, and it’s certainly not too much, for God. No matter how hard their heart, it’s still possible for God to do the impossible in a moment.I can hear your objection because it’s been mine: What about our part in the equation? From salvation to sanctification, there are often railroad tracks that run parallel – God’s part and our part. Let me remind you of two important things…

1. When it comes to our walk with God, we are taught that both salvation (Romans 6:23) and repentance (Acts 11:18) are gifts. God actually gives us what we need in order for us to do our part. Yes, we have a part; but don’t let that be a discouragement. He loves us so much that He gives us what we don’t have, so we can do what we wouldn’t do.

2. Most of us lean way too heavily on the railroad track that’s our part. We act like seeing God-sized miracles rests in our hands. The danger of this is to neglect the most powerful thing we can do. Pray.

What if we spent less time trying to “fix” and more time committed to prayer? What if we spent less time focused on fear and more time focused on faith? Yes, God has the right to wait. Yes, God sometimes has a reason for His delay that we’re unable to see. But that doesn’t negate the truth that He can do the impossible in an instant.May we never forget that our greatest power and influence comes on our knees. twitter | facebook