A Rain Delay!

Rain delays happen in many sports, but most especially in baseball and tennis. Some sports like football, are played in all kinds of weather. Baseball can tolerate some rain, but once it really starts coming down the game has to be stopped. In tennis, however, even the slightest amount of rain can cause the courts, and especially the lines, to become slick and dangerous to the players. Thus, even a drizzle can cause play to stop and the game to be delayed.

Such was the case yesterday with the US Open. Even before the men’s finals match was started, the match had to be postponed a whole day due to rain. Of course, it was a great disappointment to the fans who were planning to spend their Sunday afternoon watching the match either at the stadium or via television. But, how much more disappointing it must have been to the players who I am sure spent the whole night before and the whole of that day pumping themselves up for the big match. I’m sure it was quite a letdown when they were told that they were going to have to wait a whole day before getting onto the court for that deciding match. (Yes, I was disappointed too having to wait a whole day to watch it on TV.)

Of course, we all hate delays. We all hate having to stand in line, sitting in traffic, or anytime we are told we will have to wait. Such has been the case since our childhoods. We’d rather have it fast, get it done now, experience life according to our time frame. Yet, we all know that life is full of delays.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter wrote to christian believers who were getting tired of waiting, that is, waiting for the return of Christ. It seemed to them that he was taking too long. They had begun to wonder, why the delay? To them Peter wrote these words: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 – NIV)

The principle found in Peter’s words speak to us of not only the return of Christ, but of the way God works in general. His words teach us that sometimes the delays of life are a sign of God’s patience and mercy. There are times when God makes us wait, not because he is being mean, but because he loves us. Ultimately, we are reminded that God has his timetable and his is so much better than ours.

So, today if you find yourself having to wait, maybe faced with some sort of delay, consider that it might be due to the fact that God is patiently at work in your life. Remember God loves you and his timing for your life is always the best.

Have a great day!

-Pastor Harris

P.S. I do hope there is no rain delay today for the men’s finals match. I don’t think I could take anymore delay!

Comments