Spiritual Director · May 12, 2017

Devote #32

So my very good friend, Pastor Carl, told me a joke the other day that relates to what I read in my Bible reading this morning. I hope I can tell it right, it goes something like this…

There’s this man pondering the deep questions of life, the universe, his own personal problems. And since he couldn’t find any answers on his own he decided to ask God for some help.

“Dear God” the man began to pray.                                                                  God responded immediately, “What is it my son?”                                              “I have a few questions I’d like to ask. Do You mind?”                                    “Go right ahead, my son… ask Me anything,” God said.                                  So the man proceeded… “God, how long is forever?”                                   God said, “To Me, forever is like a second. “Wow!” The man responded. Then he asked another question… “God, what’s a million dollars like to You?”       God said, “A million dollars to Me is like a penny.                                       Again the man was in awe. Then he lifted up his head and asked one final question… “God, can I have a penny?”                                                              To which God responded, “Give me a second!”

Funny, but thought provoking. Here’s the Bible passage… 
“Dear friends, don’t forget that for the Lord one day is the same as a thousand years, and a thousand years is the same as one day. The Lord isn’t slow about keeping His promises, as some people think He is. In fact, God is patient, because He wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 CEV

God is so enormous, so awesome. But let’s face it… there are times we’ve prayed, and unlike our friend in the joke, we didn’t get an answer – at least not an immediate response. Sometimes it seemed like it took forever and other times we’ve felt like we never got an answer.

But Peter tells us that God is not restricted to our timing. God has no time, if You can imagine that. And, let this rattle in your brain for a moment… If God has no time, then He’s got all the time in the world for you and me. Does that make sense to you?

Let me say it another way… remember the time you were totally occupied doing something and your child asked you for help and you responded, “Give me a minute!” You said that because of time. You were restricted by time. But God has no time, so you’ll never hear Him say, “Just a minute!”

Here’s my word of encouragement for you today: Since God has no time – He always has time for you. He’ll always be there, even when you don’t recognize His presence. Even when you’re so busy, He’ll remain. God is never too early – God is never too late. He’s always right on time!

Father,
Thank You for keeping Your promises. Thank You for always being on time in my life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Rev. Dr. MM Marxhausen

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Mark was Spiritual Director for VdC from 2016 to 2019. He's written many of the devotions, especially the Devote and Affirm series, found on this website.