01Dec16

Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Have you ever heard the phrase, "absence makes the heart grow fonder?" That may be true of some things but, I want you to think about a time that you had to wait for something you really worked hard towards. Was it easy? What happens when the reward comes a far off from the promise? When I switched over from being Enlisted to being a Chaplain I was initially told that I would directly commission as a CPT. Imagine my surprise when I got my orders and on them was the rank 1LT. I thought there was a mistake. I had never even seen a 1LT Chaplain. But, it was true. Not only that, but, I was told I would remain in that rank for a full year. I got over it and moved forward (it's just rank right?) but, every time I was pushed aside or not included in something I would blame it on the rank (turns out people just don't like me sometimes). This thing ate at me. Finally, I was promoted. Right on time. Nothing changed about me. Nothing at all. Honestly, I was the same guy I had been as a SPC. But, I celebrated! The receipt of my hard work had finally come.

You may be sitting in a place where you think you deserve something that has not come quite yet. You may be asking why your hopes are not coming true. But, God's timing is perfect. It may make your heart hurt for now but, once it is fulfilled it will be like a tree of life that satisfies your soul. So continue to hope and don't grow weary in doing so. Remember that sometimes the tree of life is right around the corner.