The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

Are you one who is in a hurry? Always rushing? Impatient with waiting for the beginning of some anticipated event?

The Bible is full of people who couldn’t seem to wait—people who wanted to hurry God. Jacob was a man who couldn’t wait. He was an impatient person. He knew that God had told him he would be stronger than his brother, Esau. It was God’s plan that Jacob would inherit the promise that had been given to Abraham and Isaac. But Jacob couldn’t wait for God’s timing to work out the details of this promise, so he tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing that was traditionally reserved for the first-born family heir. While Jacob’s impatient action did not change God’s ultimate purpose, it did make it harder on Jacob.

As a result of his actions, Jacob’s brother was angry to a point of wanting to kill him and Jacob had to leave home and family and travel to a distant country that was strange to him.

It is vitally important in our spiritual walk to be prepared for the things that God will use us for. But it is equally important to be the best we can be where we are right now and not push for God’s promises before their time has come to fruition. The timing of any opportunity of God’s is important and it is our duty to be ready, to be faithful and to be willing, all the while being patient and functional where God has placed us.

God of Wisdom, grant us the patience to wait for your time schedule and not be caught up in our own time clocks!