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Are We There Yet?

Philippians 1:6 NLT And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

If you are a parent, you know the question. It has been asked since the beginning of time, from the backs of covered wagons to station wagons. Whether traveling across town or across the country, the question is repeated every few minutes: Are we there yet?

Sometimes life’s forward progress seems invisible, stalled, or at best moving at a snail’s pace. Life can be filled with speed bumps, detours, and unexpected construction zones. Most of us have little patience for sitting in standstill traffic with no idea what is causing the delays. Our life goals become distant, and no matter how hard we push, progress is hard to see and even harder to measure. In these times, we often bring 'are we there yet?' into our relationship with God. 

Scripture reassures us that even when God seems invisible and inactive in our lives, when we think God has forgotten us, He is always at work for our good and to accomplish His perfect plan. Life is a journey filled with choices—the greatest choice we can make is to trust Him in times when there appears to be no reason. As humans with finite minds, we only see a small part of reality. Our perspective is restricted by our senses, life experiences, and thoughts. God sees all of time and space—the past, present, and future are ever before Him (Psalm 90:4). Even when we can’t perceive what God is doing, He remains actively at work behind the scenes. When we don’t see what God is up to, we must remember that He loves us and knows what He’s doing, even when we don’t.

Daniel had such an experience when he fasted and prayed for 3 weeks, seeking God’s wisdom and direction. All evidence suggested God was not listening. Then Daniel had a vision: “Daniel, don’t be afraid. Since the first day you began to pray, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days, the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way” (Daniel 10). During the 21 days in which Daniel had not received the answer he was seeking, the angelic messenger had been blocked from reaching him. When Daniel thought nothing was happening, the heavens were ablaze with angelic warfare, all on Daniel’s behalf. The angel brought words of reassurance: “God loves you, so don't let anything worry you or frighten you.”

Matthew 27:59–61 tells us, “Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. He placed it in his own new tomb, then rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.” It is difficult to imagine what was going through their minds. Everything they had believed in, followed, and watched for 3 years—the dreams and aspirations—all came crashing down with a profound sense of finality when that stone was put in place. But they were only seeing one side of the stone. They had no visibility into the battle that was raging on their behalf, just on the other side.

Whatever you are battling through, waiting for, or trusting God for, God is at work in ways you may never know or see. On the other side of this speed bump, God has prepared to lead you beside still waters and prepared a feast in the presence of your enemies (Psalm 23). Your role is to trust, to stand firm, to pray without ceasing, and to believe that what God began, He will finish. “At the right time, I the Lord, will make it happen” Isaiah 60:22.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Philippians 2:13 NLT For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Romans 8:28 NLT And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Colossians 2:6-7 NLT And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Hebrews 7:25 NLT Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

Isaiah 64:4 NLT For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!

Psalms 27:13-14 NIV I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalms 38:15 TPT Lord, the only thing I can do is wait and put my hope in you. I wait for your help, my God.

Philippians 3:12-15 TPT I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me his own. I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. So let all who are fully mature have this same passion.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge and submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord , whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

James 1:2-4 NLT Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

John 16:33 NLT I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

2 Peter 3:8-9 NLT But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

1 Peter 5:6 NLT So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up.

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