Has there ever been something you wanted but you had to wait for it? Maybe you experienced delay after delay. Perhaps you were frustrated and your faith was challenged. You hear things like “you are a masterpiece”, but in the delay you can’t help but wonder if God really knows what’s going on or not. Truth is, we typically want things to happen much faster than they do, but God, as the artist of our lives, is not working on the same schedule that we are. His timing is perfect!

Rewards

Isn’t it true that we live in a culture that likes the rewards at the beginning? Yet, in life, trophies are not given out for starting a race or for simply giving it a good try. Trophies are given to those who finish. God may not be working on your time table, but He is working on you as a masterpiece. Don’t get impatient with what He is doing in your life. He always rewards faithfulness, on His time.

Process

God is a God of process. He knows what it takes to make your life as the masterpiece He created you to be. If you try to work around or speed up His process you may find that you are not ready for all the good things He has for you and end up wasting the opportunities He brings your way. The Apostle Paul did just that in the book of Acts and paid a huge price for it. After first becoming a follower of Jesus, He jumped right into ministry without preparation: “And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is indeed the Son of God!’All who heard him were amazed. ‘Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?’ they asked. ‘And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?’ Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him. They were watching for him day and night at the city gate so they could murder him, but Saul was told about their plot. So during the night, some of the other believers lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall.” (Acts 9:20-25 NLT)

Take your time, slow down, and enjoy the process God is taking you through right now. He is working to make your life look like the masterpiece He created you to be!

Question:

Have you ever found yourself rushing God? What were the results that you experienced?