In today’s society, we’ve become accustomed to getting what we want fairly quickly. It’s woven into our culture. If our hopes and dreams don’t materialize overnight, we start looking for shortcuts- fleshly attempts at making something happen according to our own impatient timeline. But again, God’s ways are so different from our culture…

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:11-12)

Through faith, patience and diligence, we become the kind of people who can faithfully execute the dream. If some prayers we pray were to be answered overnight, we would forfeit God’s perfect timing for us, and may not be able to properly steward His promises.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9 )

The word “slack” here is the Greek word “bradunei.” It means, “to tarry, to delay.” Is God merely taking his time for no apparent reason? Not at all – there is purpose in the delays of God’s promises! Here, we know that Peter is talking about salvation. But the principle is still true for all God’s promises. He won’t unnecessarily delay your promise.

God’s perceived delay is just our opportunity to persevere- to press on – to show up one more day, praying and believing in faith. Diligence is about doing our work as best as we can one more day. Pray, believe, and seek His face one more time. Don’t stop. Quitting is for those with no hope. We have hope that demands our diligence in that which God has placed before us today – not next year, but today.

Resist the urge to become sluggish and negative, because the dream of God is still alive!

~ Kirk Henderson