When, Lord, When?
Written by Debby Baril
kneeling at the altar, I surrendered all, embracing the call to ministry and missions. I knew it would one day take me to Africa. Years passed, I graduated from Bible College, entered full-time ministry, received my credentials as an ordained minister, and still no opening for Africa.
Had I heard wrong? Was it all in my head – was it the expectation that anyone called to missions is at some point going to end up in Africa? Surely if it was the Lord a door would have opened by now! Perhaps it was time to let go.
Waiting is not for the faint of heart. It will test our trust in the Lord and can shake our confidence. God’s timing and ours are often polar opposites, aren’t they?
However, in the fullness of time the open door came and within three months I moved to Nairobi, Kenya where I lived and ministered for almost two years. My time of waiting turned into a “suddenly”! I have now had the privilege of ministering in 8 countries on 4 continents – the call to missions continues.
I love happy endings, when answers and breakthroughs come, but the waiting I can do without, especially when years and years are involved. I love the Lord, but honestly, I’m not thrilled with His timing. It becomes painful. “Did God really say? Is there something wrong with me? Why others, and not me?” We call into question the call and ourselves, concluding it might be better to believe for less.
We all face seasons of waiting and they are not a once-and-done deal. I am presently in another long season of waiting. The temptation to continually cry out, “When, Lord, when?” is strong. We live in a microwave society - fast and convenient. I prefer my Instant Pot to my Crockpot; however, God’s work is often slow and steady.
Instead of crying out, “When, Lord, when?” we declare with King David, “I trusted in, relied on, and was confident in You, O Lord; I said, You are my God. My times are in your hands (Psalm 31:14-15a AMP).”
Our times, seasons, and appointments are in God’s hands. He chooses the best and most fitting time for our breakthroughs, deliverances, blessings, and opportunities. Allow me to repeat – He chooses the best and most fitting time for our breakthroughs, deliverances, blessings, and opportunities.
I often remind myself that God is more interested in my “being” than my “doing”. Yes, fulfilling the call and doing are important, but the Lord will not take shortcuts when it comes to developing character. It seems He prefers the Crockpot over the Instant Pot! Could it be that He would rather take 30 years of preparation with 3 years of impacting ministry, than 3 years of preparation with 30 years of mediocrity, no lasting impact, and perhaps even damaged lives in its wake?
