My alarm went off at 4am for an early morning flight to Saigon. No time for coffee, I just wanted to get on the plane, sink into my seat, and close my eyes. I was in no mood for delays.
At the airport, I was annoyed that we had to get on a bus that would take us across the tarmac to our plane. Crammed in like sardines, it was standing room only. Finally, the bus stopped, but the doors didn’t open. Then, our driver got out of the bus. Where is he going? Is he asking directions? What’s the hold up? I continued to complain to myself as we waited and waited. I suspected that we were waiting for some VIP to get on board before the rest of us underlings. I began to get more and more resentful of this individual, whoever they were. After several minutes, the doors finally opened and we burst out of the bus. I never did see the person we were waiting for.
We finally made it to our seats. That’s when I noticed a wheelchair being rolled away. Suddenly, I was ashamed of myself. I wondered, had we been waiting for someone who needed a little extra assistance to board? Someone with a handicap of some sort? Hmmmm…I hadn’t considered that before. I had only been thinking of myself.
Like my impatience to board my flight, I sometimes get impatient waiting for the Lord’s return. What’s the hold up? How much longer do we have to endure this turmoil? Get me out of here! There are days that I just want peace and rest. I’m ready for the heartache and struggle to be over. Ever feel that way? We must remember:
“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.” 2 Peter 3:9 NKJV
Every person is a VIP to Christ. The Lord was patient with me as I finally got to the end of myself and turned to Him. If He is not willing that any should perish, then we should not be willing for any to perish.
Who are you praying for, waiting for, to come to faith in Christ? Reach out to them again. Maybe they just need a little extra assistance to get on board.
Pondering on the Way 