Part I

We often feel like we are falling behind in life. However, when we feel this way, it is usually because our personal expectations and God’s intentions are not lining up.

Key Points

1. The amount of time something takes is not evidence of God’s displeasure. We frequently look for visible progress to validate that we are doing well, but God’s presence is not measured by visible metrics.

Biblical Example: Joseph. While his journey was difficult, Scripture does not describe him as being "behind"; it describes him as being "accompanied" because the Lord was with him.

The Shift: Instead of asking, "Why hasn’t this happened yet?", we should ask, "What is God forming in me that could not be formed any other way?"

2. God redeems time; He does not rewind it. We cannot go back to fix the past, but God promises a different kind of restoration.

Scripture: “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…” — Joel 2:25.

The Definition: In the Bible, restoration is not merely replacement; it is redemption. True restoration results in fruitfulness that actually outpaces the damage done.

3. Capacity is built before responsibility is given. God often uses delaying seasons to prepare our character for future assignments.

Biblical Example: Moses. His time in Egypt taught him power, but his time in the wilderness taught him dependence. It was this dependence, not power, that was the specific qualification God was looking for.

The Question: We must be willing to ask ourselves, "What would break in me if God moved faster than I’m ready for?".

Closing Thought: Regret vs. Conviction

As we look at our timeline, we must distinguish between two powerful feelings:

• Regret looks backward and paralyzes us.

• Conviction looks forward and invites us to respond.

Scripture Focus “...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 1:6.