God, Why aren't you listening?
Have you ever gone to God with a prayer? A desperate, “Please God, if You only, then I will …” kind of prayer?
I remember when I was in grade 9 I had this huge crush on a grade 12 boy. He was so cute, and so smart. All year long we exchanged glances and I would “accidentally” bump into him in the hall. I prayed and prayed that I would have the courage speak to him but the whole year went by and I hadn’t. Then finally at the end of the school year, as we were wrapping things up in the yearbook room, I found myself alone with him. I plucked up all my courage and said,
“Could you pass me the yellow folder, please?” He smiled, picked up the folder and sat beside me.
My heart was beating so hard and so loud, I was sure he could hear it from where he was sitting.
My prayers had come true. All the nights I dreamt of this moment. I just knew that God had heard my prayers! He was going to be my boyfriend and we were going to live happily ever after. It had to be God’s will because that was what I had been praying for.
Then, out of nowhere this dark haired, beautiful boy leaned over and kissed me right there in the yearbook room! In hindsight it was just a sweet peck, but it was a kiss! After I caught my breath, he told me that he was moving to the States to live with his aunt and uncle. He was leaving the next day.
“NOOOO.” I was devastated.
“How could You do this to me, God! This guy was the one! I have prayed and prayed and prayed! He was supposed to be the one! God, what are you doing?” And I even wondered, “God, do you even know what you are doing?”
Of course God did. Of course God does.
How often in life when we bump up against the unknown we meet with the same answer every time, “Have faith, be patient, it will all work out.” It’s something that is easier said than done (Proverbs 3:5-6).
However, many years later, I understood.
Looking back, that ‘relationship’ would have never worked. I couldn’t be with someone who randomly kisses girls in a yearbook room ;)
Instead, God put someone else in my life, a boy who was so much more amazing, and much more handsome. A person who adores me, supports me and makes me a better person. All along, despite my little crushes and my desires, God had the perfect person just waiting for me. But God was waiting for me, to wait on Him.
Today, what are you asking God for and not getting? It's frustrating to not know what God has planned, but if you have faith, and put your trust in God, God has something even better waiting for you — better than you can ever imagine. But it’s God’s plan and God’s timing. Are you willing to have faith and wait?
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:25)