“The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent… And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.” 

I despise the word “soon.” I just don’t understand what it means! People say, “Let’s get together soon!” but then take their time in making actual plans to get together, or often, never make any plans. Jesus even said, “Behold, I am coming soon.” (Rev. 22:12) Yet, hasn’t it been about two thousand years since His resurrection? Clearly my definition of the word soon and God’s definition is very different. For me, the word soon usually means a short period of time. But how much time? This is the problem I have with the word soon. It’s meaning tends to be both fluid and indefinite, relying heavily on context and intentions. For example, I may say my project is going to be completed soon. Since I know the scope of my project and the steps I must achieve to complete it, soon could mean a year. But if you don’t know these contextual facts, soon might mean to you a few weeks or even a few months. Since we are often unable to give a definite time frame, we answer with the word soon, forgetting to share the contextual aspects that inform others of what we mean by soon.

Here is another problem I have with the word soon – I am impatient. This is a character flaw of mine. Rest assured, God is slowly, although sometimes not slow enough, refining this trait in me. My life over the past three years has turned into an interesting journey, one in which God has been uncomfortably pushing the boundaries of my patience. God is asking me to be patient in my career, in my calling to do ministry, and in my relationships with family and close friendships. I have faced some incredibly difficult situations where the only hope I had was to wait on God – and wait – and wait. The last thing I want to do when my heart is breaking is to wait. I want an answer. I want to know when God will make it all okay! I want to know when God will heal and restore broken relations. I want to know when God will open opportunities. I want to know how God is going to take care of me. I want to know the context behind the promise of soon. God does not share the answers with me, but I have learned that He is with me in the wait. He invites me to rest on His promises.  

Psalm 40:1-3 says, “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.”  

Psalm 62:1,5, & 8 says, “I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him. … Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. … O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.”

These two psalms are just a few examples of the many times in scripture we are instructed to wait on God; and if we do, His promise is that He will fill us with hope, strength, victory, and blessing. God promises to hear us and to act on our behalf. However, does any of this make the waiting less painful? Does any of this make soon come any sooner? Not really. I believe God’s promises, but why is it that God chose to move and act slowly sometimes?

Peter dives straight into this question when he says, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake.” Have you ever thought about how God has to be patient? I mean, seriously, we can get so caught up in our own waiting, that we never stop to think about the fact that our God and Creator is waiting, too. The context which Peter is talking about is the eager expectation of the New Heavens and New Earth – when all things will be put right. It is a wonderful thing to think about and to hope for – the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ and the creation of the New Heavens and New Earth talked about in Revelation. Obviously, It hasn’t happened yet. God is taking His time; however, scriptures promise it will be soon. Why is God waiting? He is waiting so more people – your friends, neighbors, even family – could have every opportunity to repent and follow Jesus. He loves us so much that He is willing to wait for us. He is willing to wait for us to get our act together, for us to be obedient, for us to take recovery seriously, for us seek reconciliation with others, for us come to Him and be saved. The God of the universe waits on us. He is patient.

I thank God for His patience! As I look back over my life, I realize I don’t deserve God’s patience. I don’t deserve the countless second chances He has given me to repent. I don’t deserve the time God has given me to heal, to recover, and to find new meaning and new life. The slowness of God, while painful in the wait, has provided me with many opportunities to grow and mature in my faith. It has forced me into seasons of complete trust and obedience. It has made me stronger. If my Heavenly Father is willing to be patient for my sake, shouldn’t I embrace patience and quietly wait upon the Him? The slowness of God has also given God time to change hearts, minds, and open opportunities that were previously closed.

So, while we are waiting, what are we to do? Peter reminds us that we need to “make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight.” That’s right, we are not just sitting around, waiting. In our waiting, God calls us to move and act, while we wait on Him. We are called to seek reconciliation, to reconcile broken relationships. Have we begun making amends? Have we acknowledged any wrongs we may have made? Have we sought to live in peace with those who are opposed to us?  What must we do to live at peace with others? We are also called to live pure and blameless lives before God. This involves repenting from sinful lifestyles and behaviors that do not honor God, to fully surrender to Christ and live for Him. God honors those who seek Him through the obedience of repentance.   

So, my friends, the wait is important. The slowness of God is in fact the blessing of God in our lives. For when God develops patience in us, it is a sign that the Holy Spirit is present in our lives. God is faithful to fulfill all of His promises. It is God’s patience that allows Him to do abundantly more than we could ever hope or imagine. Pray the promise of Ephesians 3:20 over every person, relationship, and situation that you find yourself waiting on today. Wait patiently with God!