A suggestion for God

One of the most difficult things being a Follower of Jesus is learning to trust God even when we can’t see anything “happening”.  I don’t often make suggestions to my Creator, but I’ve been thinking lately that maybe a windows style “progress bar” would be a nice addition to our Faith.  Nothing flashy, just a blinking blue progress bar that lets us know exactly how much “progress” God is making on our requests, and exactly how long we can expect to wait before all our problems are solved would be quite helpful.

Come to think of it, a progress bar would have been really helpful to most of the folks in the Bible as well.  I’m sure Daniel would have liked to have a progress bar to show just how long he would be hanging out with the lions before being released.  Noah definitely could have used a progress bar to make sure his ark construction schedule would meet his apocalyptic deadline.  Job definitely could have used a progress bar.  After tragically losing everything he loved and owned, Job has to wait 38 chapters before God answers his many questions and complaints.  Can you imagine how much easier that process would have been if Job would have had a comforting blue blinking progress bar to watch as he waited for Gods reply?

I’m surprised God never thought of adding a progress bar.  It always makes me feel better when I’m waiting for Windows to perform some task.  The only reason I can think of  that could have caused God to “forget” to include a progress bar with our faith, is that perhaps waiting without knowing what God is doing is THE POINT.   Perhaps our faith is built in the often painful times when we trust God for an answer we cannot see.   Perhaps the waiting times are less about how long God takes to meet our “demands”, and more about how long it takes us to put aside our plans, agenda’s, and simply learning to submit and be part of His-story.

I think I’ll withdraw my “suggestion” for a faith progress bar. I’m pretty sure God didn’t “forget” it at all.  Maybe Job said it best when he God finally replied to his 38 chapters of complaints and “suggestions”…

1 Then the Lord said to Job,  2 “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?      You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” 3 Then Job replied to the Lord,  4 “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers?    I will cover my mouth with my hand.  5 I have said too much already.       I have nothing more to say.”  Job 40:1-5   (NLT)

 

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