We live in an impatient Society where it seems everything is about speed and immediate gratification. Whether it’s the slow-moving vehicle ahead of us in traffic or a long line at the market, it seems that the slightest delay causes frustration. Unfortunately, this Hurry Up disease can spill over into our spiritual journey as well. We can get disappointed or upset when our Creator doesn’t respond within our requested timeline. Pastor and Author Magrey deVega preached that we sometimes treat God like a great Cosmic Genie who solely exists to respond to our requests and make our wishes come true.

Nothing could be further from the truth! 1 Corinthians 8:6 reminds us: Paul says, “For us there is only one God, and he is our Father. All things came from him, and we live for him”. We live for God, not the other way around. Our perfect spiritual model, Jesus Christ, also reminds us that we exist to serve God. In Matthew 20:28: Jesus says, “I didn’t come to be served but to serve”. 

A big part of serving God is trusting in God’s timing rather than ours. If we are attentive to the prompting of God’s Holy Spirit, we can grow and even flourish as we wait for God to move in major and minor ways in our lives. Growth in our spiritual walk may occur in exceptional, exhilarating experiences which are overwhelming and undeniable. But even beyond those tremendous mountaintop experiences, if we pray with expectation of seeing God at work, we can also discern God moving in the rhythm and progress of our daily existence. The Lord loves us and is far more concerned about our growth than our immediate satisfaction. Comfort brings a risk of complacency. The Lord doesn’t bring destruction or chaos but will allow it so that we might draw closer to Him. When the road is too smooth, we are subject to credit ourselves rather than our Creator. The Lord operates in and out of time. In His infinite wisdom, He understands what we need in the present moment as well as the journey ahead.

Our attitude as we wait on the Lord in times of difficulty or uncertainty speaks volumes about our spiritual walk. What do your volumes say about your seasons of challenge or transition? Does your entire attitude change when you navigate unexpected challenges? Do you try to “be strong” and handle it all yourself or acknowledge your human limitations and invite the Lord to step in, sustain you, and keep you? Do you allow ego or shame to hinder your willingness to be vulnerable with God? Our attitude makes all the difference! Do you operate with impatience or in patience? It’s easy to express gratitude when the road is smooth, but your most powerful witness to the world may occur when you face adversity. Admitting your utter dependence on the Lord is the first step to Him moving any mountain you find yourself facing.

Isaiah 40:31 reminds us “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Remember the situations which are the most troubling hold the most potential to experience God’s power and grace.