“Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.” – Psalm 27:14
“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.” – Lam. 3:25
“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it” – James 5:7
Imagine what your life would be like it you received everything you wanted right now. Wouldn’t life be great? Or would it. Really think about it, if you were able to get everything you want when you want it… what type of person would it make you? I suppose some of us would think it wouldn’t change us but for the most, if honest, know better. When I look back on my own life, I see clearly why things happened and especially when they did.
One of the movies that I can watch whenever it comes on is “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” not the new one with Johnny Depp but the old one with Gene Wilder. There is a particular scene with a very spoiled girl named Violet Beauregarde who demands to have her own goose that lays a golden egg. Her weak father assures her that he will get her one, but her answer? “I want it now!”
Living now with then in view. In contrast to seeing our life now as a preparation for the future, sin produces in all of us a tendency for “nowism.” This causes us to forget three things: 1) who we are- that we are betrothed to Christ 2) what He is doing- preparing us for the future wedding 3) what we are suppose to be doing- living faithfully to Him.
When we focus so much on what we want “now” we fail how to solve our problems and fail to see how they will cause further problems. If you examine depression, the common factor is self absorbed “nowism” and those having anger issues, they are often fueled by self righteous “nowism.” Your fears and anxieties are strengthened by your desires for the here and “now.”
Ministering to others, teaching them how to solve the now problems with the then in view is one of the most important things we can ever do for them because is it is something we as sinners do well for ourselves. We all tend to be shortsighted and self absorbed. We forget that God’s primary goal in loving us is not changing our circumstances or relationships so that we can be happy but that changing us so that we can be holy!
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.” – Rom. 8:28-29.
This is one reason why divorce is not an option found in the Bible. Divorce can be a result but never a solution. Divorce can change situations, change relationships but it does not change the heart. People who tend to divorce still have the same problems and will commit them over and over again because their problems were never solved. But if one sees their marriage as a training ground for their hearts for the then, the trials that God sends to them makes perfect sense. If you solve your problems with the then in mind, separation is not an option. Quitting is never an option for the Christian. You can leave your spouse, you can leave your church, you can leave your job but you are only changing geography, your problems are like luggage, they go where you go.
We need more people who love God and us enough to come alongside and help us deal with our myoptic “nowism” and help us to wait on the Lord. May you be that person for someone you love. God bless you.
Pastor Sung