“Ask me that one more time and I’ll turn this car around!”
Said every parent ever
One of my absolute favorite things about family road trips are the constant chatter of questions and comments and bickering coming from my kids. (yeah…) Starting off the trip is always great! Kids are excited, they have their ipads and coloring books, some sort of drink, and, of course, the much needed snack; even if they just ate breakfast. Then about an hour in, it starts… “Are we there yet??” Or as my son Joshua would say, “What’s taking sooo looong??” *Insert super whiny voice*
Most of the road trips we take are at least 8 hours long… so no, my dears, we aren’t almost there. Not even close. I have determined that my kids ask this question for one of two reasons; 1) They are absolutely bored out of their minds, and they can’t take the excitement any longer. Or 2) They are so excited about the destination, they can not contain themselves. When I’m going on vacation, mine is most certainly the latter.
I have recently found myself asking this question about more than just road trips. The Lord has been challenging my walk with Him in so many ways. I have found myself yearning for more. More of Him. I have found myself searching. Searching for deeper relationships. I have found myself discontent with being safe and comfortable in my faith, and found myself asking Him to stretch me and my borders in faith. My desire to serve more, to do more, to love more, to go more, to search more, to grow more, to give more, etc. is beyond bearable. And yet, I find sometimes the Lord still says, “Not yet. Be still. Wait.” I would say to Him, “…But God! I have this ministry I would LOVE to do!” “Not yet,” I’d hear Him say. “…There are so many things I think You want me to say to them!” He’d say, “It’s not time yet.” “When will you answer this prayer, Lord?? How long will you make me wait for this??” He’d tell me, “Be still. Wait.” My impatience has had to learn that His timing is always perfect. Within the last few months, I have begun to see Him start to move. This anticipation of being unleashed by God is coming full circle. I have no idea what is in store, but I can not wait!
As Christians, I think we often find ourselves asking the Lord “Are we there yet??” A great hope that God is going to do something big with us, or our situation. In hope, we have our eyes set on eternity. At times, I find myself looking towards the heavens in the midst of this chaos here on earth asking Him, “Are we there yet?? Is it time for Your return??” In Christ, we have the confidence that this life is only fleeting, but forever with Him is eternal. That one day, He will come back. One day, He conquers all. One day, He will be King, and create His new Earth. One day pain, suffering, loss, loneliness, depression, sickness, and death will be no more. That every tear will be dried, and hope restored. Until that moment, we need only to be still, and know that He is God.
So are we there yet? When it comes to living life to the fullest, and giving God your all, I pray the reason you ask that question is simply because you are so excited about the destination that you are about to burst with anticipation. Walk so closely with the Lord that you can feel His hand start to move in your life! Hope for what you can not see. Search for His goodness. Wait eagerly for Him to do impossible things, beyond what you could hope or imagine! Pray, worship, serve, love, give, pray more, worship louder, serve harder, love deeper, give more until He finally says, “Yes! We are there. NOW it’s time.” No problem is worth your fears, stress, anxiety, depression, tears, frustrations, uncertainty, thoughts, or heart in the light of Eternity. ❤
And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at His coming.”
*1 John 2:28
Unleashed 