Friday, 28 November 2008
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Revelife Revisited: You Can't Google God's Answers
(note: Now that Revelife has grown, we want to bring up some good posts from the archives.)
I love the internet. I think it's the greatest invention ever and I can't imagine my life without it. What I love most about it is that I have instant access to anything I want. Any question that crosses my mind can be answered with a little "clickety-clack" on the keyboard. How far is that gourmet grocery I've been wanting to visit? Google Maps gives me the answer in 1.2 seconds. Who is Hillary Hahn? Oh, thank you Wikipedia. What does 'agrestic' mean again? Merriam-Webster.com to the rescue. What's the next project that James McAvoy is working on? My answer and much more on Imdb.com.
From dumb questions to important ones, I can find almost all my answers on the web. But I think I'm getting so used to this way of life, that I don't know how to pray and listen to God any more. I want instant responses and nothing enigmatic and vague. I don't want to have to think about it or figure things out for myself. I want everything to be clear-cut and laid out in a concise, easy to read format.
But God is not the internet. I mean, he's more awesome than the internet, but he doesn't just work the same way. And as silly as it is to forget that, I do forget. Sometimes God does give clear answers in a short amount of time. But sometimes, he makes us wait. It's not to drive us crazy, even though that's what it feels like. Some things just make more sense with time. We are complex individuals with lots and lots of layers (like onions and ogres), and I'm pretty sure God knows that a quick-fix answer in the peak of our troubles is not really going to help us. He's not the friend that just says, "It's okay" no matter what we are going through. God cares for us much more deeply than that; he doesn't have quick-fixes and blanket responses. He has specific words for each of us, but it can take time for us to be ready to hear them.
God speaks the truth to us, and at times, the truth hurts. Are you asking God for instant answers or are you willing to wait a little longer for truth?
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Comments (10)
Great post, and great thoughts! I find myself falling into the "instant gratification" category at times, too. Thanks for the reminder!
Oh, what a post! Honestly, I've learned that God works in weird ways, especially in answering our prayers and questions. Most of the times I've prayed to God for answers, the only reason I have so much angst over "how long it takes" is because it's never come the way I've wanted it to ... I've learned that in those times, the answer from God stares you right in the face without you even realizing it!
This is a great post. I think that as christians we look for quick fixes, that is why their are so many self help books out there. I recently moved out of my parents house into my own house with my 2 best friends. We didn't have cable, or internet, we barely had a fridge, but it was the best time of my life. We sat around and discussed things. Important, biblical things. I grew a ton spiritually in those months. Now, I get on the net daily, and I easily find questions, like you. My life is easier, but not necessarily better.
Great post!
I often want instant answers, instant gratification, instant, instant, instant. Everything in this day-and-age has become so fast paced. Everything (almost) is microwavable now too. So, in a few minutes, I can have a meal on the table whereas it used to take hours. Oh, here's another analogy for thought, that microwaved meal does not taste as good at the meal that was spent hours preparing for in the oven and whatnot. God's quick answer doesn't "taste" as good at the one we had to wait for and work on. Y'know?
Great Post.
Im one of those who looks more for that instant gratification as well, but Ive often found that the more I pray about something - the better it turns out to be in the end. All in all .. when God says we get what we pray for in "his own time" its ALWAYS worth the wait. I know many times I've been staring the answer to my prayers right in the face without realizing it. Maybe the answers are there instantly it just takes all those prayers for us to realize what to look for.
You speak the truth!!! I'm the same..want instant gratification, have no patience, but I've come to realize no matter what I want, when I want it, it may seem like it takes awhile, and while it may, He is always right on time with just what I need. It's not the quick fix I need, but it is THE FIX, :)
And thank you for making me realize this. Just the other day, I was looking online for information/help/advice to get my 19-year-old son lined out with his dangerous living. I should have went to the Lord first in prayer, but I was desperate I guess, frantic, overridden with anxiety and panic, but thanks for pointing this out, :)
thats an awesome post! thank you. i've been going through a few rought weeks and have been trying to rely on God. but it is hard when you're waiting for answers...and sometimes, God doesn't have to give you them. you might never know, he just asks us to believe and trust him.
great comfort, thank you
I absolutely love this post, it really is a message I think a lot of folks need to here in life today, with so much hectic rush and such.
I might use the topic of patience in an up-coming devotional in youth group or something.
Thanks !
God's timing not ours. How many times God is working around us as we fail to see it? I fall in the same trap myself of wanting things right now too. Patience in faith.
i would love instant answers but over the years ive learned i have to wait.