I do not like to be late. In fact, I prefer to be early. I'm not quite sure where that habit developed in my life, but it's something that I find at one and the same time a strength (beginning early generally gives me a feeling of being prepared) and a weakness (I find myself getting annoyed with others who might not be early).

A focus on my timeliness has reminded me that God does not work on my timetable. Sometimes, I am awed by how He has planned things out long before I even knew there was going to be something to plan. My on-time mentality has a great respect for those events. Sometimes, God works things out just in time. I am always impressed by such events because I would find it so difficult to live a just-in-time life. But then, sometimes, God is late - well, late according to my timetable. And it's in those circumstances that I wrestle the most with God.

He is never late. He never oversleeps. He is always working at just the right time (Romans 5:6). If I am impatient or frustrated with God because of His apparent tardiness, that is a sign of my own weak faith - not a sign of any lack of strength, ability, or character on His part. I dread this prayer, but, Lord, give me patience.

1 comment(s) for “God in the Week - Never Late”

• 1. Ellen Lyman on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 12:20 PM

  Hi Russell,
  
  I always want to be early, too, and get annoyed when others are late. To me it shows disrespect to others and a selfish attitude.
  
  A lot of our desire is because of training. But much of it, I believe, has to do with our temperament. We can be trained to be early while children, but when we get out on our own, we revert back to what is comfortable for us. For instance, a mother can train us to put everything away while we are living with her, but when we are on our own, we will do what we want. Of course, I guess that may be part rebellion on our part. lol
  
  After saying all that, I think we are all impatient when it comes to God's "tardiness" in answering prayer. I agree. I need patience and He gives me a lot of practice.