The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 [NIV]
Nearing the downtown post office, a banner fastened to a construction fence caught my eye.
Are you on the wait list?
The intent of the message was to lure potential residents to add their names to the list (I assume there really is one ...) of people hoping to rent a place in the new apartment facility being built on the other side of the fence.
Clever marketing.
Because the message conveys that the not-yet-completed complex, located within walking distance of a quaint, historic downtown area, is nothing short of amazing. The question, Are you on the wait list subtly suggests that we’re missing out if we’re not.
Then the Spirit whispered, “Your name is on a wait list—the one that promises you'll spend eternity with Jesus.”
Jesus is preparing a house for believers and it has plenty of rooms (John 14:2). The house is occupied by souls gone before us and it has a wait list—names of those who believe in Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross and have chosen to receive the free gift of God (Romans 6:23) and are waiting for the day we'll be residents of our Father's house.
God is not slow in keeping the promise of redemption he made eons ago and tucked into Genesis 3:15 after the fall—"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he (Jesus) will crush your head, and you (Satan) will strike his heel."
But honestly, the time between the Garden of Eden and now feels like an agonizingly long wait. But God is not dragging his feet to fulfill his promise. He's graciously tarrying long enough to add all names not-yet-added to the wait list. Because the story doesn't end well for those who aren't on it.
Rather than focus on the length of time we're here waiting for Jesus to fulfill his promise, let's consider who we know who's not on the wait list with us and invite them to sign up for the best dwelling of all.
Points to Ponder
Why does it feel like Jesus is taking an inordinately long time to fulfill his promise?
Who do you know who isn't on the wait list?
What are effective ways to communicate that God is waiting for all who are willing to repent to do so?
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