Every now and then I’ll cook a roast beef. As it is cooking, my son is lead by the aroma and appears out of nowhere with this question: “What’s cooking?” As the roast cooks, the smell permeates our home. The next questions to follow about every hour are, “What time is supper?” “When are we eating?” and “Is it almost ready?” We find ourselves anticipating the moment when we’ll sit down together and enjoy the fruit of my labour.
I could get annoyed at the repetitive questions and pressure to provide, but instead I relish in the fact that what I am doing, the preparation that I’ve put into the meal, is expected and being looked forward to.
Imagine though, if I removed the roast and served it before it was fully cooked. It wouldn’t taste as it was meant to taste. It will not have been worth the wait nor meet his expectations or need.I find that when it comes to waiting for something I need, my son and I are very much alike. I can almost taste it and I don’t want to wait. Rather than savouring the aroma, I want it now.
Things are no different when I ask God to provide for a need. I don’t want to wait. When I really think about it, He wants to serve me the best – not substandard or the next best thing. He’s knows my likes and dislikes. He knows my needs. He knows what’s best for me and His timing is perfect. It’s not easy to control my desire to take over and trust that what He is preparing for me will be what I really want and need.
I can be persistent and annoying with my nagging question, “Is it almost ready?” But I’m sure that God is smiling over the fact that I’m waiting and giving thanks that He will provide exactly what I need when I need it – even when I’m trying to rush Him.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God,” Philippians 4:3.
