Not Yet
"Not yet," as a kid those two words were a mixed bag on the one hand it's not no but on the other it's not right now either. I have always thought I was a patient person, I can wait in lines with the best of them (well except for traffic lines, you try being stopped on I-95 with a row of cars the length of California ahead of you and no air-conditioning in the height of summer- most likely due to heat stroke I began to seriously contemplate walking the 100+ miles back to Orlando). But line waiting is not at all what true patience is, the kind patience the Bible talks of.
Romans 5:3-4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope..."
Romans 8: 24-25 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
James 1:3-4 "... knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience, but let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing."
A sermon I heard recently put it this way
Romans 5:3-4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope..."
Romans 8: 24-25 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
James 1:3-4 "... knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience, but let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing."
A sermon I heard recently put it this way
- Faith is believing what God has said, what He has promised
- Patience is keeping on believing
- Hope is sustained faith
I love how that is put. God's Word is true, it never falters or comes up short. I will believe on what the Lord Jesus Christ has said and just because it isn't happening right this moment (an example would be His return and experiencing everlasting life) doesn't mean I give up I am patient, I wait I hope in Him and His Word knowing at the time appointed that 'not yet' will turn into a right now.
This post was not at all what I thought it was going to be, originally I was going to talk about how I have been studying and researching and contemplating buying something until I was sure without a shadow of a doubt that I would be purchasing it soon (ie before Ellerslie so I could take it with me) and all would be good; only to hear the words, "not yet" don't purchase this item yet. And how it ties in with my previous sheet story, other than the researching part and the determined I'm a calculated planner part I have no clue.
Funny how God works sometimes, always leading me. I know I have a lot of growing to do when it comes to patience. Matthew 6 is popping into my head, in particular 20-21 and 25-33.
- Matthew 6:21 "... For where your treasure is there will your heart be also."
- Matthew 6:33 ".... But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.
My God is in control, He sustains me, He provides for me, He guides me, He teaches me, and above all He loves me.
