If you are like me, you are not fond of running into stop lights or delays, especially when you are rushing to an appointment, or scheduled event. This can cause frustration or anxiety if we do not put those delays into God’s hands.
Life is full of stops, delays and seeming setbacks, which can retard our forward progress. Sometimes it may be as small as a slow checkout at the grocery store. The line gets longer and longer, and there seems to be no additional cashiers or clerks available to move things along.
Maybe the person at the checkout has lost their debit card, or cannot find their wallet, or is asking a question about a coupon special that did not ring up properly. Then there are the times when someone at the checkout ahead of you finds out their item is damaged and now the clerk must send someone to the rear of the store to find an undamaged one while you and everyone behind you wait patiently. These are just minor setbacks or delays we have all experienced to some degree.
Paul experienced delays
The Lord Jesus commissioned the apostle Paul to take the gospel to the Gentiles. It was a divine appointment, yet he still experienced setbacks and delays in his life and ministry. In his letter to the church in Rome he expressed his earnest desire to be with them, but then adds he had been often hindered.
Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. Romans 1:13
The apostle Paul further reiterates this point at the end of his epistle to the church at Rome.
For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. Romans 15:22
You would think there would be no more hinderances to such a great apostle and minister of Christ, but that was not the case. Paul relates a similar sentiment with another church located in Thessalonica.
Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. 1 Thessalonians 2:18
We are not told how Satan hindered Paul, but he made it clear to the believers at Rome the source was the enemy and not some natural phenomenon or set of events.
It is highly unlikely we can go through life without stop lights, stop signs, traffic delays, detours, hazardous road conditions or other things that will impede our forward progress and pause our momentum.
What we do in times like this is important. We must learn to turn these seeming delays into opportunities to gain experience in patience, endurance, wisdom, and grace.
When delays come our way, we must not assume we have done something wrong, or God is angry with us or does not want us to succeed in life to accomplish His will. He is not against us, but for us.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
When we are driving and encounter red lights, it’s normally traffic conditions and timing. To miss these stop lights, we would need supernatural knowledge, a perfect sense of timing, and major control of outward circumstances. This is highly unlikely and would require everything to seamlessly fall into place. However, you have probably noticed, life is not that way.
There are afflictions and tribulations we must all face. Obstacles we must overcome daily.
Jesus said:
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33
King David said:
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. Psalms 34:19
Types of Stop Lights and Delays
There are numerous types of road delays. They might stem from hazardous road conditions, construction, inclement weather, fires, accidents, and other situations which are usually out of our control.
And then there are delays in life which are self-inflicted. We can avoid them if we listen to the Lord, do the right things, and remain sensitive to the nudges, whispers, and leadership of the Holy Spirit. For example, when we do not follow the Lord’s leading and timing, we often will enter a season of delays and obstacles that can rob us of time, energy, resources, strength, rest, and peace. I know this from experience.
In either situation, there is still hope and redemption. The gospel of John gives us a wonderful illustration of how God can move us from our delayed position to where we should be.
Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them.
Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. John 6:16-21
This amazing story demonstrates the delays of life, even when trying to obey the Lord’s directives. Life happens, and there you are in the middle of the raging sea, trying to make it to shore.
But, Jesus comes walking on the difficulty you are struggling to overcome, the obstacle in your way, the issue that is delaying your progress in His perfect will.
As you call out to Him, He can suddenly turn things around, and bring you to your desired haven. (Psalm 107:29-30)
Let us pray for wisdom and discretion so we do not bring delays upon ourselves. However, if we encounter ones out of our control, as we walk with the Lord, let us trust Him to calm the storm and bring us suddenly to our divinely appointed destination. He created time for His purpose and glory. He can manage it as He deems best.
New topic next week. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless and keep you!
James Brown CST 06/22/2023