Delays

Delays

Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them (V.25).

Acts 16:9-31

Reading

Have you ever been stuck somewhere? Like at school while waiting for someone to pick you up? That can be a bit annoying. But how about  getting stuck in an airport in another country for a whole day?

That’s what happened to one of my friends. Most of us would probably find it hard to deal with. Airports can be boring anyway. But for a whole day? Ouch!

Amazingly my friend saw God at work in his delay. As he waited, he looked for opportunities to chat with the other waiting passengers. He happened to bump into some Christians from India—and they told him all about the ways they were sharing Jesus with people in their country. In fact, because of their conversation, my friend ended up spending some time in India to help them out!

How often do we get delayed? Or have to change our plans? We get annoyed when this happens. But what if we tried out my friend’s attitude? Maybe some of our delays are actually new opportunities to work with God. Think about Paul’s trip to Philippi in Acts 16. He had gone to Macedonia because of a vision from God (VV.9-10). How could he know that he would end up in prison there? But even that trip to jail was directed by God—He used. Paul to bring the jailer and his family to Jesus! (VV.25-34). God can even use our problems, interruptions and delays to make Himself known.

GOD CAN TURN DELAYS INTO OPPORTUNITIES.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries