June 03, 2013

Slow?

Devotion for the Week...

I often take a long time to finish a quilt. Partly it's because I can't sew as much as I'd like because life's many duties call.

Where does it all come from?
Partly it's because I like intricate projects with lots of pieces.
Arrant Red Birds, from Jinny Beyer's Golden Album Quilt
Partly it's because I'm usually working on more than one project at a time. I go from one to another, back and forth, working on whichever strikes my fancy at a given time. Little by little they get finished, but the end can seem slow in coming.

My current works-in-progress. There are 5 projects here.

In 2 Peter chapter 3, Peter writes about another end than can seem slow in coming. Speaking of the last days, he says, "Scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, 'Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." (2 Peter 3:3,4) In other words, people will make fun of those who believe Jesus is coming back. They'll say nothing has changed, that if He hasn't come back yet, He's not coming back at all.

Then comes one of my favourite passages of Scripture. "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:8,9)

Many believers talk about how anxious they are for Jesus to come back and take us all to Heaven. I may be the only one, but I always feel a little panicky during those conversations. Don't get me wrong - I want to be in Heaven. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm in no hurry yet. You see, there are too many people I care about who wouldn't be joining me there if Jesus were to come back today.

As we looked at in a previous devotion, Jesus explained to Nicodemus, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (John 3:5,6) Each and every person must believe for themselves and accept the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus before they can be accepted into Heaven. 2 Peter 3:8,9 say to me, "There's still time." God wants everyone to believe. He wants everyone to have eternal life with Him. He is not slow in sending Jesus to return. He is being patient, allowing everyone time to hear that Jesus died for them, and to believe.

I am so grateful for God's patience. I am grateful He waited long enough for me to understand and accept salvation, on the same day my husband turned back to God. I'm grateful He waited long enough for all three of my boys to accept Jesus too. And I'm grateful He's patient still.

2 comments:

  1. I love the pile of projects! What a great collection of things. I see nothing wrong with working on several projects at a time. It is supposed to be fun after all. Forcing yourself to finish one because you have to sounds a bit like work to me! Besides, I often find that if I walk away from a project and give it time it will go in directions I didn't expect that are far more interesting than my original intentions. I'm looking forward to seeing them come together!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey Leanne - No, I didnt "no reply" on purpose. It's been frustrating me since I switched to google+. I've read a bazillion articles on how to fix it and tried every google+ setting known to man. I guess it just never clicked that I could "Switch back" to the blogger account temporarily to fix the email issue. I think I may have got it right - finally.

    This post, talking to me as a google+ user rather than a blogger user finally made sense. http://www.flusterbuster.com/2013/02/are-you-no-reply-blogger.html

    If you don't mind - would you reply so I can see if I was successful?

    Technology. geez.

    ReplyDelete

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