Day 298 "As Long As It Takes"

Passage: Acts 19:10

This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

Devotion:

Not long ago my wife and I went on a road trip with our youngest daughter Amanda. Having done this before for many years with the older kids I was well prepared for the inevitable question of, "Daddy, how long until we get there?" For those of you who have been on these trips before, you know it's not the first time the question is asked that begins to irritate--but after fifth, tenth or fifteenth time--that's when my answer changes to, "You'll know when we get there." The problem of course is young children have difficulty conceptualizing speed of travel, distance, and time. The same is true for us as well when we are in service to the Lord and we ask, "Lord, how much longer until I'm through with this project?" Similarly we only have limited ability to process and understand the mind, will and purposes of the Lord. Therefore, the answer to the question is the same--we'll only know how much longer when we are finished.

I have to think that was the mind set of Paul in Ephesus; he went on teaching "so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord." Isn't that beautiful? He wasn't on his own time schedule; he was on the Lord's. He didn't ask how long, because he knew the answer--as long as it takes.

Questions to Ponder:

Are you beginning to become impatient with the Lord? Are you having difficulty understanding how the Lord's will is being served in your ministry? Paul hung in there in Ephesus for two years--how long have you been serving? Perhaps the Lord is waiting on you--to surrender your will to His. Sometimes we simply need patience and perseverance. Who has scheduled your time? Is the Lord in your appointment book or are you in the Lord's? What's the difference?