“How long, O Lord?” Trust me, “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jer. 29:11
Heavenly Father, this oft-quoted verse both confronts and comforts us. It confronts that part of us that wishes you would simply “baptize” the plans we’d make for ourselves. We’d write stories that include little disruption, few surprises, and zero suffering. In essence, we’d choose a life requiring little faith, no waiting, and zero prayer.
But life between Jesus’ first and final arrival is all about waiting. Fortunately, we’re not waiting to climb into the dentist’s chair, but into the eternal joys of “all things new.” Until that Day, you are our true Home—and our past, present, and future are in your loving grip of grace. Hallelujah, and thank you.
Quite honestly, if we knew what you know, Abba, we’d worship more and wrangle less. We’d have more peace than “ulcers,” and give others more kindness than “snarkiness.” So, grant us fresh grace to wait—but not just “wait” as in patient trust; but also “wait” as in “waiters” who wash one another’s feet with your grace. We’ll never over-hear or over-believe, that until Jesus returns, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love” (Gal.5:6).
No Abba, we don’t want you to be predictable or programable, or to cater to our every whine and whim. You gave Jesus to us and for us; so, of course, you’ll give us everything else we actually need (Rom. 8:32). Today that will mean grace to love others as Jesus loves us. Thank you, and So Very Amen.
