Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. –
-Psalm 37:4
I woke up this morning with this affirmation on my mind for a colleague who has been given a new opportunity. She asked me last night, “Could God answer my prayers so fast?”
It is a word for me and you as well to remember that God is working behind the scenes for our good. What seems quick on the surface took a long time to fashion.
On the day the resurrected Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, he didn’t just stop him in his tracks and shame him for what he had done. He sent him to Damascus. Saul’s men led him there because the light of truth had blinded him to his own plans. And as he waited in the dark, Jesus went to Ananais, told him Saul was blind and needed his help to rise up.
It happened quickly. In three days, Saul the persecutor of Christians became Paul the apostle of Christ.
And, yet, how much time did Ananais spend in prayer before he could have that easy conversation where he shared his fear and still trusted enough the word he heard to go help the very man who was persecuting Christians?
And, why didn’t Christ appear to Saul sooner, get him while he was young?
What seems quick to happen actually takes a long time for God to fashion.
When you’ve been given an opportunity to do a new thing, take a moment to reflect on how God has fashioned you for this moment at this time. I suspect you will see the hand of God moving in miraculous and delightful ways.
And then you can affirm with David, the Jewish and Christian believers throughout the years that God, indeed, will give to me the desires of my heart.
Love, Heather
Reverend Heather DeVoe Miner, M.Div
Rev. Heather served as the pastor at NLBCC until 2022. She continues to spread the loving and inclusive message of Christ, serving a church in Boise, Idaho.
