slow cooking in a microwave world
timing is everything
“The God who calls the stars by name is not surprised by the circumstances of our lives. He knows. He has always known, and waiting is a part of His plan for us.” ~Kristi Walker
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV
I came across an intriguing question a couple of weeks ago, and this Sunday’s sermon sort of fed into my pondering about the question I had read earlier. The question is from a planner I often use. A 30-60-90 planner, that often provides journaling prompts with their planners to encourage writing.
The prompt/question I have been tossing around is, “What is the best piece of advice you would give yourself 1 year ago?”
Believe it or not, this stumped me. First of all, this year looks absolutely NOTHING like I thought it would, and usually it’s beneficial to have more than one year’s worth of wisdom and perspective to give advice or draw conclusions from. I wasn’t certain I could even articulate any good advice just yet.
Often it takes me more than a year to look back and piece together the puzzle of the lessons learned in the journey, and to see how the threads weave into the tapestry of life. But the more I tossed this idea around, and after hearing our recent sermon it came to me.
God definitely allowed a few curve balls to come our way this past year. He allowed the very thing I have begged Him not to allow to happen, happen. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Greg lost his former wife to breast cancer. Since we met and decided to marry, I have prayed and prayed that he would never have to walk the road of cancer with me.
Last year, that prayer did not get answered as I had prayed. Last November everything changed for us. I had breast cancer and we were now going to walk the road I begged God to not take us down.
Last fall, I was getting closer to making some changes in my life that would allow me to pursue my writing. I was setting goals and putting plans in place to change direction in a few areas of my life. I was pursuing a path I have felt God preparing me for and calling me to for over 10 years.
Cancer halted that.
photo by Angiola Harry @ang10ze
2023 seemed as though this was going to be the year we had more time to take a delayed (by 6 years) honeymoon and maybe travel a bit more. Now our finances and time would be tied up in medical bills and doctor’s appointments.
After years of failures, disappointments, pain, betrayal, illnesses, Covid, career challenges, etc, I thought finally, 2023 was going to be THE BEST YEAR EVER!!! Instead, God said, Melinda, your time, is not my time.
God said no to my agenda.
We don’t always get to choose the timing of events. Sometimes we are forced to wait for the things we want. We live in a microwave world today. We want what we want and we want it now! The idea of having to wait often comes with agony and dread. We don’t like to wait. It’s inconvenient and stalls our plans.
When I was growing up, we didn’t have a microwave for many years. My mom would slow cook roasts in the oven or crock-pot. I can still remember walking in the door and smelling dinner as it was slow cooking. I knew the potatoes and carrots would be sweet and tender. I knew the roast would just melt in my mouth after hours of cooking in the juices and simmering to its tender state in order to fall off the bone.
Today, we don’t have the time for that kind of cooking. Today it’s fast-food drive through, Instant Pot, and Air Fryer meals. We live in a microwave world. There is no time to wait for the process, no time to appreciate the process, and definitely no time for the process of building anticipation in order to savor what’s ahead. We just want it now.
But, what if there is more to the waiting than we understand? What if there is even a purpose in waiting? Throughout Scripture, the nature of waiting is described as more than just a pause in our plan. Often, it is the plan. Waiting can be a part of God’s plan.
“God always has good reasons for making us wait. Waiting is a part of life and one of God’s tools for developing people. The Bible is full of stories of people having to wait on God, such as Noah , Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, Daniel, Jesus, Paul, and countless others.” Eric Speir, Relevant Magazine
God works in our waiting. Just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t so. God uses the waiting to shape our character. We are called to be still and to trust the journey. We are innately impatient people, and our world today exploits that character flaw as well as encourages it with technology.
It’s difficult to remember, God’s concept of time is not like ours. I see myself getting older. I put myself in a box based on societies timeframe of “our best years,” but God used people of ALL ages throughout scripture (see names in blue above in Eric’s quote). He isn’t tied to the same structure and definition of time as I am.
photo by Daniele Levis Pelusi @yogidan2012
God uses time and what we see as delays for the following:
1.To reveal our motives. Am I doing this for my ego, or to glorify what God has done for me? Am I still witnessing in my waiting or have I stopped because my ego is bruised?
2. To build patience, in the small and big things. If I can’t wait on Him for the little things, how can He trust I will listen to Him in the bigger moments?
3. To build appreciation and anticipation. If God gave us everything right when we asked for it, first, we would be in control, and second there would be no anticipation or excitement. We wouldn’t cherish or treasure the things we don’t have to wait for.
4. To transform us. Lessons and growth happen in the waiting. Do I trust God in the waiting or am I worrying about everything, and not glorifying Him in the transformation and growth?
5. To draw us closer to Him. Waiting develops our dependence on God which deepens our relationship with Him. Am I drawing nearer to Him? Do I have eyes to see and ears to hear the work He is doing in me? Do I trust what He’s doing?
I initially saw my diagnosis as God closing a door forever. As a “never.” I’m not getting any younger. What I thought were the next steps, in my mind, cannot possibly happen any later for me. I’m pushing my 60’s. The story I told myself was, apparently I have been reading everything all wrong. God never intended for me to go where I was so certain He has been leading me.
But I know now God is not done with me. Yes, it has been over ten years that He has been working on me, shaping me, and transforming me, but He knows what’s best for me. He knows my stubborn ways that still need tenderized. I am on the slow-cooker plan because God does not microwave His plans.
Not 2023- doesn’t mean not ever.
From the valley, I look up to the mountains and say, ‘Why God? Why do I have to be down here instead of up there? I’ve been down here so long. ’And into the silence He speaks if I am willing to be silent enough to listen.
“‘I want to take you to the mountaintop, but you are not yet ready. The climb is hard and steep and you must train a while longer. This valley is preparing you. Suffering and waiting produce the necessary perseverance, character and hope that you will need to get to the top, without which you would certainly fail. Trust me. It seems to you too long, but it is a necessary amount of time. My timing is perfect. I have not forgotten you. I see your faithfulness and your struggle. I appreciate your honesty. I am with you always, and soon, when you are ready, we will stand on the summit together, and when you look back down on that valley, you will finally understand.’” (Excerpt from Kristi Walker’s book, Disappointment)
So, today I can answer this question, “What is the best piece of advice you would give yourself 1 year ago?”
Melinda, Remember as you navigate this journey…”A blessing delayed is not a blessing denied. Worship in the worry. Witness in the waiting. Watch God work.”~ Rev. Damian Thompson, Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in West Louisville.
References to read and some paraphrased:
5-things-waiting-on-god-taught-me
