Monday, May 10, 2010

The Shortcut

Several years ago...It had been six months since I finished University, awaiting NYSC, so all funds had been cut. After those seemingly long months of waiting on God for a financial breakthrough and it was not forthcoming, I sought to find a solution for myself. One Friday, I called a friend whom I knew was financially okay. I asked for some help. He agreed to give me some money but on the condition that we go out on a date. Sunday evening, I indulged him and he gave me N3000 (equivalent of about $20).

On Monday, I took my N2500 (now short by the transport money), full of excitement that my immediate problems of fixing my hair and my nails will be solved. I had to walk through my department in school, which was near the salon I was going to. To my greatest surprise, I received 2 pieces of information I was not expecting. The secretary in my department said she planned to call me that Monday for she received the information late on Friday.

The first was that a scholarship I had applied for in my second year, which I had lost hope that it will ever come through, had suddenly come through and I would be paid N50,000.

The second was a lecturer needed someone to help a company with a quick study. I accepted it knowing that it would take me only 2 days to do the work. In my mind, I valued the job as a N20,000 job and felt that with enough management, this could last me three more months. On acceptance, I was told that I would be paid N250,000 on completion of the study (of which I had to give a little part of the money with the lecturer that helped me get the job).

As I received those pieces of information, I took a seat, pondered and wept. I said “If only I had waited on God just 2 days, I would have known that He had already answered my prayers”. N3000 (which resulted in me devaluing myself) was nothing compared to what God had in store for me.

I am sharing this story specifically for someone who has been waiting on God for an answer. Now you are at that point where you want to take the “shortcut” – the alternative that seems to solve the immediate problem without considering the future implications. Your Loving Father is telling you to hold on. Do not underestimate what He can do. Do not create your own testimony. You have waited this long, though counting the times that has passed. Believe that God's grace is sufficient to take you further.

When Esau sold his birthright [Genesis 25:29-34], he was thinking of solving the immediate problem - his hunger. He was consumed by his situation that he did not understand what He was giving up.

Beloved, what may be someone else’s miracle may be your shortcut. You know that thing you desire, and hopefully those words of peace that God has spoken to you concerning that which you desire. In my case if only I had waited 2 days, I would have known God had already answered my prayers. He has already answered yours and I do not know how much longer you need to wait to see the physical manifestation of your answered prayer. But do not forget this one thing: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think [2 Peter 3:8-9]. What He has in store for you is worth the wait, for He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that you can ask or think.

Have a blessed week ahead.

Related devotional on "From The Heart Of A Loving Father":

25 comments:

AliceDCL said...

patience is indeed a virtue
we should wait on d lord

daylight said...

I have been in a similar position.

I regretted it later when I received a huge amount from a distant friend. I should have waited but I was in a hurry. "It has to be done NOW." How wrong I was! I have since grown up. I can wait better that I before and I'm the better for it.

Thanks for sharing.

Apinke said...

thanks so much for sharing, i really need this.
think God sent u to me, have a great week!

Harry said...

Thanks for sharing this...amazing

Writefreak said...

Word! May i never run ahead of God! Amen

Jennifer A. said...

Wow. I second Writefreak's prayer. And it's so wonderful that you shared this with us. Thanks Rita.

David C Brown said...

God always has in mind that we should learn Him, doesn't He?

Myne said...

I just had to say a prayer just now. Thanks for sharing this Rita, God bless you.

Blessing said...

Thanks for sharing...God sees the end from the beginning...if only we can trust him a lot more...thanks for the encouragement! God bless you Rita!

olusimeon said...

"Do not underestimate what He can do. Do not create your own testimony."
thanks for this..

Geebee said...

There's hardly a time i pop into your blog without leaving with a life-changing message. As i read this, i'm on the verge of taking a very crucial step and there's a juicy 'shortcut' option I've been considering . . . until now. I guess i'd just hang on a little longer for the true miracle and not settle for less. God bless you, Rita.

~Sirius~ said...

Yes o!

I know I have definitely gone through this "impatient" scenarios as a child wanting thing NOW!

Thank God for God.
I've learnt as slow as it may seem, His time is always the best.

jhazmyn said...

I'm reading this and laughing real hard....
I used to believe waiting on God was a non-issue for me, but the past one year has shown me otherwise, and just yesterday....I sat wit God and told Him..."Two years from now, if things are still same, I would do "this" to change it"...
So I'm laughing right now, and telling him "You sure have a witty way of talking back to me don't You".
Hmmmm

Unknown said...

I just needed to read this.. Thanks for being there..always

Kafo said...

thank you soo much

sosexy said...

I'm signing it to this concept.I Learnt from this.. Only thing is I might not be as patient

Giagerry said...

Lovely!
i need to be reading more of these especially at this point in my life!
thnx rite--and its been a minute btew!
xx

doug said...

Thanks so much for sharing Rita. Sometimes we dont really know how far our words go when we take the step of sharing them :)

How have you been?

bArOquE said...

what a shame...well, 'indulging' the guy was totally her choice...at least she was empowered to even leave her house for school that monday...poor girl, she must have felt like shit

Rita, its been a while...hope you're doing good?

wellsbaba said...

Rita! U r still a spring of living water as at before. Long time. I've learnt neva2get myself d promise child like abraham n sarah but to wait on the lord n I'm still in a process right now. Btw pls pls visit n follow moyounique.blogspot.com shes new cocky and godly

Unknown said...

I prayed the prayer. I've been carrying a lot of baggage and I have often thought that I had let go but in my dealings with others not connected to that past, I sought of freeze up. Thank you so much for reaching out in this area. God richly bless you for your insight.

Anoda Phase said...

Amen! thanks for sharing this Rita...

Joan said...

Ps 37: Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret
Ps 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
After reading this blog and asking God to forgive my impatience, he blessed me immediately. Delay is not denial. Thank you Jesus..and thank you Rita for sharing this

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for this write up. I just had to comment. As you can see from the date I am 5 months late, but this serves as a reassurance and an encouragement on waiting on the Lord. God bless you.

Unveilinggold said...

thanks so much for sharingg...i will hang on