KELLY LOFLIN

Why does God seem to take so long when we want Him to answer RIGHT NOW? We've all had tough times in our lives - times of discouragement and pain. Maybe you are going through one of those times right now. Maybe your marriage isn't all you dreamed and prayed it would be. Maybe your spouse isn't the perfect man or woman you had hoped for, and your children are angelic only when they are sound asleep. Or perhaps you are facing a serious health challenge. You cry out, "Lord, fix him...change her...help me...TODAY." And then you wait. .Lazarus' sisters Mary and Martha knew exactly how you feel. They sent for Jesus to come and heal their brother, and then they waited. No answer. They waited some more. Lazarus died. They waited four more days. Finally, Jesus showed up. They thought He was four days late, but actually He was right on time! He didn't answer their plea to heal their brother. He had something much bigger in mind. He raised Lazarus from the dead...four days dead! If He's not answering you quickly, you can be sure He has something much bigger in mind than what you are praying for. It might seem to you that He's late, perhaps too late...but actually He's right on time. So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. (Galatians 6:9)