New year resolutions: god's timing for each of us

In this new year, we make promises to ourselves that will help us create a better future.
​
We all have dreams and goals we want to fulfill. So we take this holiday season up to the 1st of the year as our starting point. We create plans, write down tasks and steps that will help us prepare to reach those goals, to finally make it to the finish line. 

All of this preparation is important for us to do, but, we should not be surprised if the time frame we set for ourselves does not match up with the timing God has in store for us. 

As humans beings, part of our nature is impatience. We pray for something and if it doesn't happen within the time we set for ourselves, we go onto the next thing. We begin to logically explain why it didn't already happen, and we still move on because we feel God didn't come through. Don't give up! God never gives up on us, so why should we give up on ourselves? 

What we fail to realize is, God does things in his time, not in our time. God's timing is thoughtfully done to prepare us for our purpose in this life. 
​

• Noah waited 120 years before the predicted rains arrived
• Abraham waited 25 years for a promised son 
• Joseph waited 14 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit
• Job waited perhaps a lifetime, 60-70- years for God's justice

Each of these men knew that God has his own time. But, what's more important than the awaited goal is the work God does in us while we wait. 

Waiting deepens our level of perspective, and matures our understanding. 

In this new year, think of what you are preparing and waiting for. Think of the work God has done in you already to get to where you are today. Make a list of all of the things you have grown in, learned from, during this time of waiting, and know that God always come through. 

Proverbs: 16:9 9 NIV "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."

Jeremiah 29:11 11 NIV "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Psalm 37:7-9 NIV Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret - it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.