It’s been a hot topic in the ramp-up for the 2019 NFL season: What’s going on with Andrew Luck’s left leg injury? In an effort to answer this question, Colts general manager, Chris Ballard, held a late-night news conference with the clamoring media. Ballard revealed the Colts’ medical team once believed Luck was only dealing with a calf injury but has now discovered he is also dealing with an ankle injury. While the goal for all involved is to have Luck ready for week one regular-season action, Dr. Jan Szatkowski from Indiana University School of Medicine had an important word of caution: “You don’t want an athlete to come back too soon, and I think that’s one of the most common errors made, coming back before he’s ready and there's a lot of pressure. Everyone has to be making a team decision for him. If you go back to sport too soon, you risk this becoming a chronic injury.” Despite the natural desire to get Luck back at the helm as soon as possible, taking things slow and allowing time for complete healing appears to be a wise decision. After all, slow and right beats fast and wrong. Sometimes it’s all about patience. Like the Colts’ eagerness to get their leader back under center, so too, each of us has things we want to be accomplished in a certain time frame. A goal, a grade, a position or promotion, a project, a certain level of fitness, news on a diagnosis—the list goes on and on. We are doing our best to work hard and wait patiently, but the day after day passes without a known result. To make matters worse, we live in a world of Google, “Hey Siri…”, Uber Eats, and Amazon Prime. We instantly get information, answers, food, and products with less than three taps of our iPhone. We are surrounded by speed and convenience, which can lead us to avoid anything that takes time or presents difficulty. 2 Peter 3: 8-9 provides us with two important principles relative to being patient: "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
God is in control: God doesn’t just control time – He created it. He knows what each day will hold as well as the timing of every event and interaction throughout it. His timing is perfect and He can be trusted while we wait.
God is committed: God isn’t necessarily committed to our plans, but He is committed to us. He is committed to shaping our character and growing our trust in Him while we wait. He is also filled with grace toward us. We often believe we are being patient with God while we wait for what we desire. In reality, God is being patient with us, graciously forgiving our impatience and guiding us toward what He knows is best for our hearts. Today, let us be reminded that slow and right are better than fast and wrong. God is patient and filled with grace. He is in control of all and is committed to us in His great love. I'm Tim Hiller and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: God of grace and love, thank you that You are patient with me, even when I am impatient with You. Mold me into a disciple that trusts Your timing fully, even when I don’t understand. Thank you for Your love. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen. Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What is your typical, natural reaction to being forced to wait? Is it honoring to God?
What are the benefits to our character and spiritual growth in Christ when we wait patiently?
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