I WANT- I WANT- I WANT , everyday you hear people saying “I want.”
As parents we have heard this phrase from our children for generations. I remember hearing my sister teach her daughter to not use this phrase yet use “I would like to have”. Sounds a bit more respectful. Rightfully so.
Charles Stanley so keenly reminds us in the Christian life, learning to wait is vitally important because until you do, you’ll never be able to walk in obedience to God, have an effective prayer life, or experience the peace of resting in His loving sovereignty. We must learn to trust His judgment–about not just the big events in our lives, but also the trivial ones which cause us to become irritated, impatient, or even angry. If we’re sensitive to His instruction, each delay has a lesson.
I have had to remind my own kids that we are given lots of wonderful things–things that their parents give them, their grandparents, their aunts and uncles and even their cousins. One of the many things that they have never ever had to ask for and that is a couple of our basic daily living things. And, on many occasions, items they did not even have to ask for, they were simply a gift.
I did not sleep well but, I did wake up. My muscles are sore but they work. My wallet is not full but my belly is. I may not have all I want but I have all I need. My life is not perfect but my life is GOOD. In other words, you had a bed with a roof over your heads, food in your stomach, and the nicest clothes on your back. Many of these basics listed above, even drinking water, a restroom to use privately are all taken for granted.
Many of you know my story and what all has taken place in my life. There are lots of things I want–would like to have. I was humbled real fast with being on the verge of losing everything me and my wife had worked hard for. I had lost a wonderful job-a cushy one, a few shorts months prior to my near death accident. After coming out of rehab trying to find a job where I wanted to be wasn’t the easiest to do. I finally rested all my worries, all my cares on Him, knowing that He has my back.
Every day you hear people saying what they want. Well, this is what I want: I want people who are sick to be healed. I want children with no families to be adopted. I want people to never have to worry about food and shelter and heat.
The next time you face an unexpected or unwanted wait, remember that it comes as no surprise to God. He wants to teach you patience and increase your faith. He’s more interested in developing godly character than He is in making sure your schedule runs according to your plans.
Most of all, I would like to see our people start to care for one another. More love less hate!