Hosanna Restoration Church

What is a while? According to the dictionary, it is a period of time, usually short. It is a passing of time. So what does a while mean to you? What do you mean when you say you will do something in a while? What does it mean to you when someone else says they will do something in a while? Who controls a while?

Once Jesus told the folks that in a while they would not see Him and then again in a while they would. When Peter was writing in this passage of scripture he was praying that after they suffered a while, God would fix everything up. Was he telling them to keep on suffering or was he expecting them to receive the strength that God would offer them.

I like the fact that a while is defined as a short period of time. So, who controls this period of time? When you say you will do something in a while, you have control over that ‘while’ don’t you? You are free to actually do it or not. Well maybe sometimes you are not free to just skip it. Can the person that you say “In a while” to affect the length of that time? Of course they can. Here again, we are reminded that God has told us to become as little children. When you tell a little child that you will do something in a while, how long do they give you before they ask again? Or, when you tell your spouse “in a while;” how long before the reminder comes? What happens if you forget all together? Does a while come a lot quicker the next time?

Sometimes our pets will want something and I will say something like, “I will put you out in a while.” If I forget they will remind me. If I forget for to long, I pay the price. When that happens, the next time I remember and ‘a while’ is a very short period of time.

Now, when we consider the fact that the Lord is not slack in His promises, and if we will accept that we play a role in the duration of a while, it just may be that we will learn to accelerate the things that God has promised. If we stop seeking revelation on this verse at the point of suffering, we could decide that God wants us to suffer and that somehow that will bring Him glory. Now, there is no doubt that our confidence and countenance in the midst of suffering can and will reveal our trust and hope in God, but to become professional sufferers does nothing to reveal God’s ability to deliver, perfect, strengthen or establish is. Be honest. Don’t you prefer shorter times of suffering?

Who controlled the time frame of Jesus coming into your heart? He was always ready, but you decided when. If you have not yet done that, today would be a great day! If we determined the timing of that important event, could it be that we have the authority to influence “a while” in every aspect of our walk with God and life in His Kingdom?