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I have heard many say that God answers in 3 different ways – ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘not yet’. The answers ‘yes’ and ‘no’ are easy to comprehend. Although a ‘no’ from God can bring temporary pain, it is at least better than waiting without and answer! I have the experience of getting ‘no’ as an answer for my prayers. I have asked God why, but He replies with “My grace is sufficient for you” or “Trust me.. I know best”. I have always felt comfortable with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ but ‘not yet’ always makes me feel uncomfortable.
I have been in situations where God had asked me to wait. I go to Him for help and He tells me ‘Wait, your time hasn’t come.” I ask Him “How long Lord”, for which, He tells me, “Your days are in my Hand. Your time hasn’t come”. I then start thinking that maybe, just maybe, I am outside His will and maybe my prayers aren’t right. Maybe that is why I do not get an answer. He answers with a smile and tells me, “You are well within My will, my beloved. I make you wait on a purpose. I make you wait so that you can grow and start trusting Me completely.’
Oh, Now I get it!! When I turn back and look, every time I have waited, I have had bloomed and blossomed. Waiting has produced beautiful virtues – patience, perseverance, faith… Waiting has taught me to trust God alone, to let go of all human help, to not lean on my own understanding and knowledge. He makes me wait till I humble myself before the Lord, willing to be led, willing to surrender, willing to sacrifice.
‘Not yet’ is the most beautiful answer to a prayer. It means God cares for you and He is waiting for just that perfect moment – when the self dies and God’s glory shines through the answered prayer.
Well, I guess lot of us behave that way. We create the route map or carry our own Google Map to the place we want to reach. But, most of the times God’s Google Map is much different than our’s. We see the Red Sea, but God see’s the way inside the Red Sea.
