Delay isn't Denial

Sometime ago, while I was reading my Bible, I came across a verse - John 7:30 NIV which reads as follows

“At this, they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come." 

As I read, the Holy Spirit ministered something that actually threw me into confusion because of the scenario. He explained that, "they couldn't lay a hand on him because it wasn't yet time; there was a delay for Jesus to come to fulfillment and rest because it wasn't yet time." And I'm like, "But then, death isn't palatable, so it's actually a positive delay. So, why should we use it in this scenario?”

Then, He made me understand that the actual reason Jesus came into the world is so He could redeem us, and if that wasn't fulfilled, then Jesus wouldn't be fulfilled either. If Jesus had been in a hurry to fulfill this mandate, people who had the chance to encounter Him, people like the second thief on the cross, might not have been able to receive redemption.

He left me with a point - many of us know where God is taking us, but we are in haste to get there, and we feel like the process is too long. But He is telling us to rest and follow the process laid down for us so that people, whom some steps we are going to take might prevent from meeting or finding redemption from meeting us, can get to meet us.

Similarly, in our own lives, the delays and waiting periods are not obstacles, but opportunities for growth, preparation, and alignment with God's plan.

As I reflected on this revelation, I realized that it's easy to get impatient when we're waiting for something to happen. We want to see results, we want to achieve our goals, and we want to fulfill our destinies. But God's timing is not our timing, and His ways are not our ways.

He sees the bigger picture, and He knows what's best for us, even when we don't understand. This message is also a reminder that our lives are not just about us, but about the people around us.

Our delays and setbacks can be opportunities for others to receive redemption, guidance, or encouragement from us. When we're in a hurry to achieve our goals, we might miss out on the chance to make a positive impact on someone's life.

Furthermore, this revelation highlights the importance of trust and obedience in our walk with God. When we trust in His timing and plan, we can be rest assured that everything will work out for our good.

In conclusion, the delay in Jesus' time was not a hindrance, but a divine arrangement that allowed for the fulfillment of His mandate and the total redemption of humanity.