You May Be in a Hurry, but God Is Not
By Rick Warren
“God . . . does everything just right and on time, but people can never completely understand what he is doing.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NCV)
If you want to slow down your life, you’ve got to learn to trust God’s timing.
When things aren’t happening as quickly as you hoped, it’s easy to get impatient. But do you know what impatience really is? It’s a lack of trust.
When you’re impatient, it’s like you’re saying, “God, I don’t really trust you. I don’t think you have my best interest at heart. I’m in a hurry for something, and I don’t believe you know when I need it.” You get worried, you get hurried, and you start scurrying—because you don’t trust God to do things at the right time and in the right way. So instead of trusting his timing, you struggle and strive.
If you’re like most people, when you want something, you want it fast. But is fast always better? Not always.
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “God . . . does everything just right and on time, but people can never completely understand what he is doing” (NCV).
God has a plan for your life. You probably know that. But he also has a timetable for your life. Here’s the thing: God never explains his timetable. And sometimes that can be really difficult to accept.
One of the most painful things in life is when you’re in a hurry and God’s not. As children grow up and mature, they learn the difference between “no” and “not yet.” A delay is not the same as a denial.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have to learn the same thing: God’s delay is not his denial. He has a plan and a timetable. And his timing is perfect.
During the 15 years that Saddleback Church grew without a building, this is the verse that God used to encourage me: “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed” (Habakkuk 2:3 NLT).
Has God given you a vision that hasn’t become reality yet? It’s coming—but on God’s timetable. In the meantime, slow down and trust him.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Help Share the Good News of Jesus with the World!
Right now, billions of people around the world still need to hear about the work Jesus accomplished for them on the cross. And through your gift below, you can help reach them!
As thanks for your gift, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s The Seven Greatest Words of Love Bible study*, which explores Jesus’ final words on the cross and uncovers how they hold the key to finding true joy and fulfillment in your life, career, and relationships.
Request your copy when you give today—and thank you for your partnership!
*Video is available in DVD or streaming formats. The workbook will be mailed to you.
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
