Recently I was in an Uber on the way to the airport for a business trip and began chatting with my driver. She opened up about a few things she was hoping God would do for her. I began to feel the Spirit move and so I asked, “Can I pray for you?” She agreed. I began to pray and while I was praying the Lord kept providing more and more words so I just kept sharing everything He put on my heart. I didn’t know her past, her current situation, her hopes, or her dreams, but God did. I don’t even recall what I prayed, but God kept ministering to her and meeting her where she was.

 Before I knew it she was crying and I was shaking but we both new something supernatural and joyful was happening in her car because the presence of God was there. I encouraged her to get plugged into a church so she would have a body of believers to walk alongside her in life and told her that God blesses us in the corporate assembly. She said she wanted to come visit my church so I gave her my cell number so we could coordinate. When we arrived at the airport she said, “I don’t want to let you go!” I told her Christ had moved in her car that day because He loved her so much and had a special Word just for her.

 That next week I texted scriptures and encouraging words and she volunteered that she was coming to church. I felt impressed upon to order her a good women’s devotional and I also went and bought her a gift card so she could buy something special for herself. Because it was near Christmas time, I wrapped both up with Christmas paper and put them in my car. That Sunday I looked all around the church for my new friend’s face so I could give her the gift, but I didn’t see her. I texted her that next week and she said she had to work and couldn’t make it but would be there the next week. That next Sunday, I grabbed the gift from my car and searched again and still no sign of her. She later texted and said she went out of town. Week by week I carried the gift into the church and week by week she had another excuse.

 She would always text me and say, “I feel so bad that I don’t show up.” I reminded her that there is no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1) and decided I wouldn’t pressure her. I stopped texting all together and the Lord told me to unwrap the package and use the gift card myself. At first, I didn’t understand because I had bought it for her and would willingly give it to someone else. However, He was clear in speaking to my heard and told me to spend it myself to get something nice for myself so I did. I decided to save the devotional for when I found someone who would appreciate and want it.

 I then realized this is what happens with us and God. He waits and waits and waits and waits and waits. God waits with good things in His hands for us – to lavish us in His love and He waits. Sometimes we intend to come to Him but never do for whatever reason. Sometimes we say we will come, but we never sincerely intended to come. Sometimes we plan on coming, but other pressures or people get in the way and we are more concerned about what they (spouse/friends/boss/coworkers) may think so we are swayed into not meeting with God.

Time passes on and God uses another person to accomplish His purposes. He lavishes His gifts on another person because they do come and want to be with Him and appreciate His goodness. We look around and wonder why we feel stuck in the mire and others seem to be living the good life filled with the Lord’s peace, presence, forgiveness, love, and purpose. James 1:17 tells us, “Every good gift comes from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  God is no respecter of person’s (Romans 2:11) meaning His gifts and love are for all who will actually come to Him and ask and then receive. God is waiting - what are you waiting for?