Lori's Blog

Deadlines! We all have them. Work, school, bills, tasks etc. My son has big deadline coming up - high school graduation. I can hardly believe it. As he works hard towards the end, I think we feel it as much as he does and pray fervently for his success over the next five weeks.

Have you ever asked God for a deadline? I know people who have prayed that way. I sometimes wonder how God feels about it. I guess it is something I would do carefully. We often pray for God's perfect timing - but then in our mind want God to hurry up and answer. I guess that is an "unofficial" deadline. If God doesn't answer on our timetable does that mean His answer is "no"? Not necessarily.

I have recently asked God for answer to prayer by a certain time. I tread on this ground carefully and fearfully. One I think because I'm afraid He won't answer by the time I asked for and two because I'm afraid I won't get the answer for which I'm praying. I know...chicken. But at the same time I understand Proverbs 13:12,"A hope deferred makes the heart sick but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." I believe my longing is within His will for my life so now I wait for an answer. I also pray for Him to increase my faith and help me keep my eyes on things above and not the date below.

I have seen God work in my life in unusual timing circumstances. Sometimes He reveals my next steps in great advance of me taking them and sometimes He has reveals them at the 11th hour. I know He will once again give me an answer - "yes", "no" or "wait". Now I pray that I will be obedient and patient in Him while He sets His own "deadline".