Three days

 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

    Good Friday and Easter are coming up.  These are obviously significant days for any believer.  As a kid I remember wondering what Jesus did during that time.  I used to have this image of Jesus walking around in Hell telling everyone they should have listened.  I am not sure Jesus was a trash talker, but He had the opportunity.

     Honestly, the question still roams around in my mind a little.  Why three days?  He could have came back the next day or even late on the first day.  He still would have defeated death.  To be honest, I have often wondered why God uses time so much.  If we received quick answers we would come to expect quick resolutions.  This may still show the power of God, but it would render our faith weak. 

     If we did not have an element of waiting, how could we learn to “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God”.  Philippians 4:6  If God answered prayer requests as fast as we make them, we would never learn to trust, only to ask. 

     This past week I made a statement about not beating myself up too much if I am worried about something.  I think I said something like “everyone worries, its normal”.  The group of men I meet with are not normal.  They got on that one real quick.  They had multiple biblical references to back them up.  I stood, wisely corrected.  That does not mean it will be easy to adjust my thinking.  I am supposed to pray, instead of worry, not in addition to worry.  The timeline also does not belong to me.  That one is all God. 

     When Jesus was placed in a tomb -  dead, people had to work through their despair, their sense of loss.  Jesus allowed time to let the people around him develop spiritual muscle.  Imagine then how much more keen they would have been listening after He walked out of the tomb – very much alive. 

     Maybe Jesus walked around in literal Hell, preaching.  His message could very well been about love.  But it could have been a lesson in the wages of sin to those whose disobedient souls had rejected Jesus.  I’ll have to add that to my list of questions I want to ask, fully aware that when I get to heaven my questions will take care of themselves.  I won’t have to wait anymore. 

What is something you are waiting for?  How long have you been waiting?  How are you making yourself ready to hear or see God’s answer?

How many times have you seen that an answer to your prayers had been given before you even noticed?     

Challenge:  Waiting.  I don’t like to wait.  Jesus doesn’t want me impatient, so He teaches me by making me wait.  Worry.  I have a list.  Jesus does not want me to worry.  So He teaches me to have faith while I wait.   

Rick Claiborn