We are surrounded by many things that provides us the means
to stop, look, listen and go. It is what makes every aspect of life filled with
the needed discipline to live properly and avoid chaos. Without these guidelines,
anarchy will surely reign in our midst. It is what characterizes a civilized
society.
Just imagine if we do not have these simple reminders when
crossing a railway track, an intersection, even a simple line-up in the bank
machine, a grocery checkout or a simple doctor’s appointment and for sure, it
will be an utter confusion. Thus, it is important to be reminded how they
govern our lives without us realizing its enormous value to secure stability
personally, in family life and in society as a whole.
Here’s a simple equation of how God answers prayers that I came across that will illustrate it.
Although this is only to show a pattern based on observations and experiences by
many people in their Christian journey, including mine:
GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS
When the idea is not right, God says "No."
No - when the idea is not the
best.
No - when the idea is absolutely
wrong.
No - when 'though it may help
you, it could create problems for someone
else.
When the time is not right, God says, "Slow."
What a catastrophe it would be if
God answered every prayer at the snap of your fingers. Do you know what would
happen? God would become your servant, not your master. Suddenly God would be
working for you instead of you working for God.
Remember: God's delays are not
God's denials. God's timing is
perfect.
Patience
is what we need in prayer.
When you are not right, God says, "Grow."
The
selfish person has to grow in unselfishness.
The
cautious person must grow in courage.
The
timid person must grow in confidence.
The
dominating person must grow in sensitivity.
The
critical person must grow in tolerance.
The
negative person must grow in positive attitudes.
The
pleasure-seeking person must grow in compassion for suffering people.
When everything is all right, God says "Go."
Then miracles happen:
A
hopeless alcoholic is set free!
A
drug addict finds release!
A
doubter becomes a child in his belief.
Diseased
tissue responds to treatment, and healing begins.
The door to your dream suddenly
swings open and there stands God saying, "Go!"
The Scriptures is clear in regards to God’s promises: “For all the promises of God find their Yes
in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his
glory” (2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV). It simply states that God always says,
“Yes” when His promises are concern. But where does the “No,” “Slow,” and “Grow”
is found? God says, “No” if it is NOT according to His will. One example was
when Balaam was asked by King Balak to curse the nation of Israel but God said
to Balaam: “God said to Balaam, “You
shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed”
(Numbers 22:11 ESV).
He would say “Slow” when we are going ahead of Him and God
provided His basic principle in doing so: “The
Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient
toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach
repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 ESV). But intends for His people to “Grow” in
trusting Him as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust
in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In
all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (ESV).
What’s my point in all of these things? It is simply that we
must recognize that whatever men has put in place in regards to making society
work in proper order, it was God in His wisdom that embedded in us these
desires when He created us in His image (Genesis 1:26). God was at work in
whatever we have done to remind us that no matter what happens in our lives, we
will always stop to think, look towards the future, listen to the still small
voice of God and go to where we are destined to become as God created us to
become. There are many things to discuss but whatever was discussed here will
be sufficient for now. Remember, always Stop, Look, Listen and then Go under God’s blessings!
Lets’ talk again!
