18
I Want It Now Daddy!
Jon BurgessThen Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1
Jesus paints a very poignant picture with the contrast between the persistent widow and the corrupt judge. Here was a woman who had no power to find justice against her adversary and a judge who had all the power but no interest in hearing her case or lifitng a hand to help. If this man would relent because of her sheer persistence how much more so would our loving God "bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?"(18:6)
When it comes to waiting on the Lord in prayer I have much to learn. I'm less like the persistent widow and more like Violet Beauregarde from the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Like the spoiled child of the rich man I spy something I like and cry at an annoying pitch "I Want It Now Daddy". I wont tolerate any delay for my entitled appetite must be fed. I cry with indignant acclaim if I'm told to wait or that somehow what I'm asking for would not be the best for me. You see, one difference between the persistent widow and the spoiled child is that the widow knew she was not in charge and I act like I am. As if the God of the Universe is here to serve my whims rather then the truth that I'm here to serve Him. Another difference between the two is that the widow would wait and the child won't. According to Galatians 5:22 one of the fruits of the Spirit we are called to cultivate in our lives is longsuffering. This characteristic goes beyond tolerating delay and actually means to be "long-tempered." Veruca Salt gets angry the moment there is any pushback on her entitled desires. How long is my fuse? When I am praying for a change in finances, relationships, health and don't see it come to pass do I get angry or do I persevere in prayer? As I good Christian I know I'm not supposed to angry at God so maybe that's why I can get so angry at those around me. What if my anger is ultimately pent up frustration at God for not fixing this situation already? If I don't take it to the Lord then I end up taking it out on others. The good news in all of this is that I'm not dealing with an idifferent and distant judge. I'm not talking to a passive parent seeking to placate his child. No, through Jesus I have direct access to the Father. He knows what I need when I need it. In a world of instant shows, instant deliveries, instant food I am being called to cultivate a deeper relationship with my Father. Guess how that happens? Through constant and consistent conversation with God about everything.
Lord, forgive me for the spoiled child syndrome I've seen so often in my prayer life. Forgive me for my little tantrums that take place when I don't get what I want when I want it. I bring you the anger and frustration that comes from my limited point of view. I don't have the power but you do! You don't stand indifferent to my cirsumstances. You have come to make a difference, to make me different in every circumstance. This trust between us will take a lifetime to cultivate and that means a lifetime of learning to see things the way you do!
