[Spanish Translation] [French Translation] Some time ago when we were travelling, we found ourselves waiting at the International Airport in Delhi. Our flight was delayed by one hour. Then came another long delay after we were inside the flight and all ready to go. The TV in front of our seats showed that the flight was positioned towards the main runway.
Yet, from the flight’s front camera shown on our screen, we saw how other planes went by while we were still there waiting. I couldn’t help but think that probably some of these flights had to go ahead because of the delay we had earlier. We waited patiently for our turn and by then it had already been the longest 25 minutes ever on the side of a runway.
Finally, the flight moved onto the main runway – all set with bright lights on either side – and it seemed like our time had finally come. After a few seconds of silence, the engine roared to life and began to go down the airstrip ferociously. In less than 35 seconds on my watch, our flight rose up against all the wind and defied gravity.
In less than a minute we had left behind all our delays, frustration, anxiety and we were on our exciting path to our destiny.
Sound familiar?
Yes, my friend, this is how life seems to be sometimes.
You watch all your friends move on; you stroll on without any direction or results; and sometimes you feel God-forsaken!
Being in a pit for sharing a vision; being sold without a reason; and another 2 years of jail for being honest to his work. All this does not sound fair to the young visionary Joseph.
Once he did reach, it was all a matter of seconds. The Bible says in Genesis 41:14 “Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.”
He had a royal bath, regal designer wear, the trendiest hairdo and the cleanest shave he would have had, and before he knew it he was on the king’s chariot heading to the palace.
Why do I have to wait this long in life?
Just like the 1 hr 25 minutes delay before the 30-second mighty take off, Joseph had two years of brokenness before that sudden promotion!
Just as He did in the life of Joseph, God is using your delays to reposition you for greatness. Joseph’s journey involved beatings, insults, rejection, accusations, slander, denial and much silence before he could reach his real take off runway.
So here’s the simple truth:
God is positioning (or repositioning) some of us for greatness that we’ve never seen, heard or dreamed of! You would have otherwise never learned the lessons, had the experience, and understood the world better like you do now.
Here are a few verses to ponder on:
James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
This is an interview we had in Canada with Rev. Paul Willoughby on why God allows brokenness. I hope it blesses you.
So my friends, let us endure with joy; for the joy that is set before us.
What has been your greatest challenge in enduring a test? Share your thoughts below.