Does God Waste Time?

I don’t know about you, but it is quite often that I feel like God has either forgotten me or is working on something bigger and can’t focus on me or my desires when I need Him. In fact, if I am completely honest, there have been times when I thought I was watching God waste time in my life. Have you ever felt this way?

My Plans

Maybe your situation is like mine in some way. For me, there have been many times when I have been certain that I had a plan that would bring God glory and accomplish everything He had in mind to accomplish. I wanted that plan executed immediately so that the results could follow. Sound familiar?

Unfortunately, there are many problems with my mindset. First, I am assuming I know all that God wants to accomplish. Second, I am acting like I know enough about the ripple effects of this plan to make sure it will not negatively impact God’s other plans. Plus, again with transparency, I have realized later that my motives were not always (ever) completely pure.

Looking back at these situations, I am often able to see why God did not immediately jump to give success to my plans. At the same time, there have also been times when I could NOT see His reasons for “ignoring” my plans. It is these times that are the most difficult to accept.

Did God Waste Time?

I recently had the opportunity to listen to Bishop Desmond Tutu speak (via simulcast). Bishop Tutu is a South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid. During his speech, he mentioned Nelson Mandela, a fellow South African who also opposed apartheid.

For his opposition, Mandela served 27 years in prison before finally being released in 1990. Mandela went on to be elected as President of South Africa in 1994. When Tutu mentioned Mandela’s prison stay, he related how someone had once called that time period such a tragic waste.

Bishop Tutu Disagrees!

Bishop Tutu was quick to say, “No!” He said it was not a waste at all. He described how Mandela had entered prison as an angry young man who saw violence as justified for overthrowing an unjust situation. When Mandela emerged 27 years later, Tutu said he was a forgiving, patient man who was ready to lead. Bishop Tutu saw that time in prison as crucial to the man Mandela became.

In this case, do you think God allowed Mandela to waste time in prison? Or do you think He had something else in mind? I think it is pretty obvious in hindsight that God was in control and knew exactly what He was doing. Why, then, is it so hard for us to trust Him today in our situation?

Why Question Him?

We see Him repeatedly work things out for His good (Romans 8:28), but we suddenly think He would rather waste time in our current situation. Is that fair? Does it even make sense for us to think this?

Whether you are currently in a similar situation or will be heading into one soon, I encourage you to trust God. Trust that He will not waste time with you, but will instead work all things out in such a way that best accomplishes His desires. Trust that His desires are in your best interests and not in opposition to the best for you.

God Does Not Waste Time!

The process may not look like you think it should. The results may not be what you think you want at the time. However, if you trust Him, you will one day see more clearly. You will likely see why He chose to act like He did. I promise you, God does not waste time. His timing is always perfect.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun. Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him;
Psalm 37:5-7

Have had times like this?

How do you remind yourself that God does not waste time?

Do you give Him credit when looking back?