There are not very many people I know who like to wait, myself included. I don’t even like to pull ahead and wait on my order at McDonald’s. I remember my first flight to the Philippines. The flight itself was 24 hours, not including our delays. We were supposed to fly from Chicago to Hong Kong but we were rerouted through San-Fransisco where we ended up spending over an hour on the tarmac without disembarking while they refueled  and restocked the plane with food and necessities for are lengthy flight. Needless to say delays are sometimes inconvenient and frustrating, but nonetheless they are sometimes necessary.

I just recently visited Disney World, Epcot and Animal Kingdom where we had to stand in lines to ride the rides and enjoy the shows and entertainment. Talk about delays. Our trip home was full of delays as well. We had hurricane like weather for most of the southern route home. Many cars were pulled over, while others of us traveled at a snails pace with our flashers on. We spent the night in Columbia South Carolina only to arrive at the Virginia border where we were greeted by snow. Again the cars were traveling very slowly and the daunting delay of our arrival home was being deferred once again. And then to top it off, as we neared the West Virginia border there was a rock slide and we were delayed and detoured once again.

A couple of days ago I came in from a bike ride and Kelly had on Bishop Jakes show “the Potter’s Touch”. In the midst of the show in the middle of his sermon he made a statement that was so powerful. He said, “I’ve never seen anyone receive anything significant that couldn’t withstand delayed gratification.” Wow! The key word in this statement is “SIGNIFICANT.”  You may receive instant gratification but it doesn’t mean that you will receive something that is significant. We all like instant gratification and we all enjoy swift satisfaction. But we also know there are times when that doesn’t always happen.

 It seems it is even more difficult when it comes to delays regarding spiritual matters. Things like: when we pray and don’t feel like God is listening. Or those times when we believe God, but it doesn’t appear like anything is happening. What about those moments when it appears nothing is moving or changing. And then there are those moments when we feel we are being over looked or bypassed by someone else. The Bible is full of stories about the “divine delays” of God. For instance, the story of Lazarus comes to mind. He had died and his sisters Mary and Martha thought Jesus should have been there doing what it was He did. You see in this story Lazarus was raised from the dead it just wasn’t in the time frame that was expected. It happened… but it was delayed. In the process the desired result was the same; Lazarus was raised from the dead. It just didn’t happen in the time from of Mary and Martha’s expectation. It was delayed… but it happened. Lazarus condition changed but more importantly Mary and Martha’s disappointment and disposition changed. And it all happened through a delay!

Another story that comes to mind is the story of Jairus. He was a ruler in the synagogue. His daughter was at the point of death and he came and fell at the feet at Jesus begging Him to come to his home so his daughter would be made well. In Mark’s gospel it tells us that while they were on their way to the ruler’s home a woman touched Jesus and her touch stopped Him and the entire crowd. Meanwhile as Jesus was engaging in a conversation with the woman about what had just happened someone came from Jairus’ house to tell him not to bother Jesus any longer because his daughter who was sick was now dead. But Jesus hearing the conversation turns and says to the ruler, “don’t be troubled, only believe.” And of course we know Jesus journeyed on with Jairus. When they came to the house Jesus put everyone outside other then the few and he healed the little girl, and she raised to life.

But the question is, “what if?” What if, as Jairus was being delayed he gave up? What if he had said to the woman who touched Jesus, “I was here first… this isn’t fair!” What if he had listened to the voice that had came from his house that told him, “don’t bother.” What if the delay would have deterred his faith. Two miracles happened that day. And through a delay God still moved and He did what only He could do. He brought healing and peace. Two things that are needed when we are faced with a delay. Don’t despise a delay… it just might be divine!

7 Things to Consider When it Comes to Delays:

– a delay will help you determine whether you still want what you are waiting on.

– a delay will help prepare you.

– a delay will help protect you.

– a delay will help you prioritize.

– a delay will allow you to arrive at and or receive whatever is being desired, at the proper time.

– a delay can give you the desired result while changing you in the process.

– a delay will give you an opportunity to despise or celebrate others while in the process of waiting.