Have you prayed endlessly for someone to know the Truth?
I have. And I get oh, so disappointed, discouraged and even depressed when it still hasn’t happened.
Scripture claims God wants all to come to Him. That when one seeks with his whole heart, he’ll find.
So, Lord, why the wait?
Not that I should know or understand. His ways certainly are higher than mine.
2 Peter 3:9 reminds me, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promises, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come in repentance.”
My definition of slow isn’t His. He’s waiting patiently to give time for everyone to want to turn to Him. Just like He waited patiently on me.
Moreover, in Romans 15:5, He lovingly instructs, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” We need to treat others as Jesus would. Would Jesus hit someone over the head with a Bible? No. Even if I am tempted to, that is not what Jesus would have done.
I recall the crowd ready to stone a woman caught in adultery. (John 8: 3-11) Can you hear the indignant voices rising against her? The accusations flying, the hurling insults? Can you imagine her shame, her agony, her terror?
Being sinless, He, more than anyone, had the right to completely call her out. Yet, instead, He calmly drew in the sand. He spoke words of wisdom in a controlled voice, a voice of reason. “Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.” His words, and His delivery cooled the crowd.
Slowly, the collection of would-be murders, one by one, had to admit, he could not throw a stone as he too, was not sinless. But Jesus was without sin. And He chose not to stone her, but to lovingly correct and convict her. Jesus’ attitude toward her was to love her where she was and speak life into her. Let His words work on her heart. Let His attitude encourage her to do better.
And when we are stuck in the wait, wanting that heart transformation in another person to happen now? God gives endurance and encouragement. Not only to the person we pray for, but to us as well. We only need to ask.
Maybe you understand that impatience in the wait. Maybe like me, you too, struggle to have ‘the same attitude of mind toward each other that Jesus had.’
Yet, God has supplied what we need for even this.
Waiting is hard. Let’s not let our hearts become hard as well. Let’s ask Him for endurance and encouragement. Let’s ask Him to give us the same attitude toward one another, toward the one we are praying for, that Jesus Himself has. Because it will certainly change us. And it will probably affect that one we pray for, too.
Will you join me in prayer?
Prayer: Dear Lord, Change me. Change my attitude. Change how I pray for someone else. Not with impatience. Not out of exasperation. But out of love. Love like Jesus has. You know the prayers I have prayed for others for oh, so long. Yet You measure time differently. You are patient and not demanding. Please equip me with these qualities too. Please encourage me and give me endurance as I lean into You for the wait. Thank You Lord, for loving me, even as I too, am not perfect. In Jesus’ name, Amen.