Why Wait? : The Gratitude of a Patient Heart

 Why Wait?: The Gratitude of a              Patient Heart 

          Jessica Sunday 

Let’s be honest. Most people hate the process of waiting. We live in a generation where we want immediate satisfaction. If a little child sees his favorite candy bar on the shelf at the grocery store, he may beg his mother to buy him that candy bar. If she says, “No maybe next time,” her son may decide to throw a tantrum. Why? Because he wants immediate satisfaction. He does not want to wait. Okay, so the candy bar illustration just did not do it for you. What about seeing a laptop, toolbox, car, or outfit at the designated store and buying it with no questions asked. You wanted it, so you bought it, right? Again, your lust for immediate satisfaction was fulfilled. I mean  is that not why some people jump into a relationship with the first person who looks their way? Here are some reasons why you should be gratified with having a patient heart.

Maybe you have heard someone say, “Step back, and look at the big picture.” Although it seems simple to do, sometimes it is the last thing on our mind to do – especially when you want immediate satisfaction. Have you ever thought that if everything would go your way that your life would be perfect? That sounds wonderful, right? However, if your “perfect” scenario sounds good to you, just close your eyes and imagine God’s PERFECT plan for your life. I Corinthians 2:9 says, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” Ephesians 3:20 goes on to read,  “Not unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,.” I honestly do not think we can fully comprehend these verses. IF we could, we would live like God’s thoughts are above our thoughts and that His ways are higher than our ways.

Part of looking at the big picture is understanding the sowing and reaping effect. If a farmer sows corn seeds, he is not going to reap tomatoes; he is going to reap corn. Obviously! You can sow seeds of love, joy, patience, etc. and expect to reap a worthwhile harvest, or you can sow seeds of hate, doubt, or impatience and reap a life of regrets. Ultimately it is your choice. However, realize that not only do you reap what you sow, but also that you reap more than what you sow. If you sow bad seeds, your consequences are going to be great. Before you rush into an irrational decision such as a relationship, think about the effects it can have on your future. How you prepare for your future now WILL eventually affect the rest of your life. So, how about it? Will your harvest reap effective or destructive “crops?”

Before you take pleasure in immediate satisfaction, remember God has an amazing plan for you far greater than you could ever fathom. Immediate satisfaction is temporary and can lead to a lifelong road of regrets. So, why wait? Because if you let God work His perfect will in your life and remember what you reap is ultimately what you sow, than you will truly grasp that there is nothing far more rewardable than the gratitude of a patient heart.