Are We There Yet?
A particular commercial came over the radio. I had heard it several times before, but it captures my attention every time. It is from the Alzheimer’s Association; upon hearing it, I travel back to my childhood. A young boy is speaking and asks his mother, “Are we there yet? Mom, are we there yet?” Then the voice changes; the son is an adult, and the mother has become a senior citizen. The mother asks, “Are we there, yet? Son, are we there, yet?” The role reversal reminds us of episodes in our lives, young and old, where our patience is running thin. We wonder; “Are we there yet?”
Have we come to the end of this physical trial? Will this broken heart ever mend? Will this pandemic go on much longer? Will God ever answer that prayer? We are desiring to arrive at the conclusion of whatever it is that is making us want to get to the end of the journey.
When I was growing up, we made trips from Memphis to the family farm in Adamsville, Tennessee at least every other weekend. There were no express ways or interstate highways to get us where we needed to go. We had to travel the winding, curving, swampy, snake infested areas that were traversed by old Highway 64. The trip was only 120 miles, but it took nearly three hours to get there if traffic flowed freely. That seldom happened. Plus, you would drive for miles before there was enough lane clearance to pass the slow truck, tractor or breakdown that was up ahead. It did not help that there were no special pull-over areas, passing lanes or wide shoulders to assist the matter. When you are little, and there are no places to pull over, the wait for the rest room, or most likely, the “out house,” took forever! I know my father was tired of hearing, “Are we there yet?” Or, when told not to ask that again, the question changed. “How much longer?” (Same question, different words!)
In the last few years of my father’s life, he developed dementia. He became easily frustrated. Riding for long distances was difficult. He was asking, “Are we there yet?” Now it was my turn to respond. But there was no way I was going to say to my father, “Don’t ask that question again!” I would smile and say, “Not much longer.”
I wonder how many times we ask our Heavenly Father, “Are we there yet?” “How much longer?” The road of life we travel is not always easy and straight. Often there are no passing lanes to speed up the trial or situation. The road is filled with curves, and we cannot see what is up ahead. We get frustrated! We ask: “How much longer, Lord?” How much longer before You answer my prayer? How much longer do I have to wait for my loved one’s salvation? How much longer do I have to deal with this physical, emotional or financial trial?
There is an answer to these questions. It is found in I Peter, Chapter 5. The Apostle wrote: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:6-11 (NIV)
Wait! What exactly does God mean by “in due time” or “after a little while?” I think Peter is saying that it means God will act and fulfill His promises and good will in the time that God thinks is best for our good and His glory. Maybe Peter is trying to tell us to humble ourselves, and surrender to God’s time table. After all, we are held in His hands and He has a plan to “raise us up in due time.” Maybe Peter is wanting to remind us that our impatience or desire for control is creating unnecessary anxiety. Could our impatience give the enemy a chance to make us feel defeated or forsaken? Could it be that the way we learn to defeat the enemy is to fight the battle God’s way and in God’s time? I think we are reminded that we need to resist the temptation of taking things back on ourselves and yield our will to God’s will. And instead of thinking this is only happening to me… remember this is something that all disciples learn to deal with… allowing God to work in due time, at just the right time, after a little while has passed by.
The Apostle James wrote: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 (NIV) Really? Joy? Yes, joy. Because God is going to make all of this work to our good, enabling us to mature in Christlikeness and holiness. After all, God is much more concerned about our character than our comfort! We were not predestined to worldly prosperity and happiness, but to be “conformed to the likeness of his Son.” (Romans 8:29) Joy is much better than happiness, for it lasts forever!
“Are we there yet?” Not the right question. The right question is are we on the journey?
Do we desire to become more like Jesus? Do we want God to be glorified by our lives in every situation? Will we surrender to God’s timing and God’s will knowing that “… in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
So, go ahead and ask? “Father, are we there yet?” And when he answers, “No, not yet but soon,” we will say, “Ok, Lord, in your time!” Let us then continue the journey. We are not there yet, but like the Apostle Paul, we are on our way! We have not yet fully arrived to Christlike maturity, but we will stay on the road and take hold of all that Christ has made possible for us. (Phil. 3:12) In the meantime, we are filled with hope for we can hardly imagine or conceive all of the things God as in store for those who love Him. (Isaiah 64:4; I Co. 2:9) Peter is right; to Him be all the glory and power forever. Amen!
All Scripture from the NIV.
James R. Russom, DMin., NBC Director of Pastoral Leadership and Pastoral Ministries Programs
Published: 03/29/2022
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