I’m wrestling of late with the understanding of God’s timing. He’s been leading me gently and consistently to embrace patience. I’m not a patient person. I want answers now; solutions now; understanding now.

When bad things happen in the world as they are with increasing frenzy or individual people are facing life threatening diseases, I long for God to act now. I long for His Kingdom to be here now. Why not, Lord? Why not now?

In reading The Art of Spiritual Listening, Chapter 8, it asked the question – List some other images in nature that illustrate the kinds of changes God might want to do in our lives. (Hint: Think of trees, seeds, butterflies…). I thought of time. I thought about the seasons that change slowly and consistently; the sun, moon and stars rising at their appointed times; the mountains and cliffs carved slowly by the force of water in rivers, glaciers. I thought of the steady tick of the clock – it doesn’t skip ahead or lag behind though it feels like it does sometimes.

I thought of God.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9.

When my thoughts spin out of control from worrying about the latest mass shooting or the war in Ukraine and how it will affect all of us around the world, when the very real and complicated problems we face grow more entrenched, God tells me to turn away from the cares of the world. Turn to Me, He tells me. He knows every single problem every single person faces. My worries never help. Not one problem has been solved by my worrying about it. Not one. As I let that sink in it’s easier to turn away from problems I know I can’t solve or make better. As I’m able to let go of the burden and weight of the problems of this world, I can turn to Him. Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength. Isaiah 45:22-24.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6. Taking God’s hand is such a relief. I don’t have to trust or rely on my own strength or the folly of others’ thinking. As I learn to trust Him, I learn to trust His timing. There is such peace in that and a longevity of thinking. The world has always been plunged into darkness throughout the whole history of mankind by its’ own actions and our attempts to solve those problems our way. Now, with His help, I know better. In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength. Let Him deliver you from fear, worry, and into His peace and love. The world will continue as it always does but you will come to know the only One who keeps our lives secure. That may sound weird…keeps our lives secure when there are shootings, disease, wars, poverty…but each one of us is secure in Him. One day we will each of us take our last breath….whether from violence, illness, or peacefulness…and He will be there. Thankfully, we don’t have to wait until then to know Him who loves us. He knows you. He loves you. He’s here.