Finally evokes two different meanings to me: A ‘lastly’, and an ‘at last’.
So in this case I might say, ‘Finally, I’ve finally written a post for this week’s actual prompt.’
There is a sense of expectancy and waiting implied by the word – and possibly either nervous anticipation or joyful longing for the thing to happen and the struggle and wait to come to an end.
Either way, the implication is that we are ready for what is to happen.
There is also a sense of one thing coming to an end and another about to begin.
Life is a series of endings and beginnings.
Even if the day has been long, it finally comes to an end; even when sleep has been elusive, the morning finally comes.
All things finally come to an end at their allotted time and the new life begins.
Seasons, days, life cycles – all in God’s time and according to His perfect order.
What am I waiting for?
For the most part, I am at a place of great contentment in my life – there are things I look forward to and others which are more challenging – but I can’t think of a ‘finally’ that I am anticipating, except in that there are some things I have been praying for a long time, but they will happen in God’s time.
The scripture comes to me: ‘Though it tarry it will surely come’ Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
The message for me then is to keep trusting God – in the waiting, in the tarrying, in the impatience.
Wait patiently.
Trust Him.
an hourglass image
Finally I’ve written a post for this week’s FMF prompt word: ‘Finally’
The word ‘suffer’ brought the phrase ‘suffer the children to come unto me’ to my mind.
I wasn’t sure if it was a misquote, as it sounded archaic, like the King James versions that I haven’t read for many years, so it started me to look and wonder what the phrase actually meant.
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Matthew 19:14 (KJV)
A cartoon image of this scene in Matthew 19:14
The modern translations, rather than using the word ‘suffer’, say:
He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. ‘ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”
So why would children have to be ‘suffered’?
As I thought about, I actually know several people, who are not particularly fond of children and who therefore, on occasions when young children are present, they have to tolerate, or suffer them.
The archaic use of the word – meaning to tolerate, endure, or put up with – possibly describes many adults around the presence of children.
How many of us have seen people tutting and muttering because a certain toddler is having a tantrum in the middle of a church service, or is screaming havoc on a busy bus?
Personally I mostly love the presence of children.
I was a teacher of young infants for over 15 years and I still run a ‘mums and toddlers’ group each week. I love interacting with and watching the little ones. And if I begin to talk about my darling grandchildren….
But there are some occasions when I too have had to tolerate the presence of certain children, especially in environments or circumstances that are not particularly child-friendly. Children demand a level of patience and understanding that I do not always want to give.
It seems that Jesus’ disciples also didn’t want Jesus to be ‘bothered ‘ by the little ones interrupting His important teaching and preaching.
Jesus had important things to do. The people wanted healing, they wanted to hear the Good News. The disciples wanted to make Jesus’ ministry more comfortable and they didn’t want Him to be bothered by mere children.
Children were not as important as the religious men.
But Jesus turned many things upside down.
He showed us that man’s ways are not like God’s ways. He showed us that God looks at the heart.
Man is interested in power, wealth, status, prestige.
Jesus showed special interest in those that society esteemed less favourably – the women, the poor, the children, the blind, lame and lowly – the beggars, the lepers, the misfits and cast offs in society; the sinners, prostitutes, tax-collectors; even the enemy: the Roman centurions, the pagans and gentiles.
Jesus showed us that God loves every person, whoever they are.
Jesus welcomed, accepted , served and loved those we consider unlovely. He not only tolerated, but He embraced and blessed them and held them up as an example of qualities to emulate.
He not only ‘suffered’ them, He welcomed them, chose them, enjoyed them and loved them.
This gives me great hope.
When I am unlovely and hard to put up with, He doesn’t stop loving me either.
But it also gives me a very important mandate – because Jesus asked me to love others as He has loved me.
That love has to begin with myself. Jesus loves me, so I have to love me and with His love I can love others.
Who are they that I feel I have to tolerate and suffer?
Can you ask yourself that question?
Thank God that in His strength, in His love, and in His grace, I CAN tolerate, accept, serve and love the unlovely that He graciously sends my way.
Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We are given a one-word prompt and write – unscripted, unedited, pure free-write – for 5 minutes. The prompt this week isSUFFER
I do read through my script afterwards to correct my mistakes; to check scripture references and to find an appropriate image to illustrate the topic.
To read other FMF posts on this subject , see below.
One of the lessons I have learned over my life, is that there are mysteries that I shall not understand this side of heaven.
I have made my peace with that. My brain is far too small, and so is my heart.
One such mystery to me, is why in things of God, some things appear instant, and some are, well, to my mind, far too slow in appearing!
For instance, (coincidentally) why are some people healed instantly and some over a period of time, or not on earth at all?
Why are some prayers answered in an instant and some we do not see an answer to?
What I have accepted is that God’s ways are higher than my ways; that He knows the bigger picture; that His thoughts and priorities are higher, and more perfect, than mine.
But some things of God ARE INSTANT.
Salvation – If I open my heart up to God, believe that Jesus died for my sins, accept Him as my Lord and Saviour – then I am instantly ‘born again’ and Father, Son and Spirit come to live in me.
Do I then look and sound like Jesus? For most of us, NO.
Though some of us, with major wounds, may receive instant transformation and miracles, for most of us, our personality and growth as Christians, our sanctification if you like, it is a process that takes the rest of our lives, growing in one degree of glory to another.
Maybe this continues in heaven too.
Personally I have learned to be grateful for this, for whilst I would love to be instantly healed of my personal issues, childhood wounds, sinful tendencies etc, I know that whilst I am weak and humbly acknowledge my need for God in all things, I cannot fall into pride of thinking that I have it all sussed and can do anything without God.
My weakness and need keep me close to Jesus’ side and in relationship with Him constantly.
By myself I can do no good thing of Kingdom value.
One thing that blows my mind though, is that God can also be even faster than instant!
Wow!
Even before a thought is on my heart, God knows it.
That is faster than instant!!!
Stop.
Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We are given a one-word prompt and write – unscripted, unedited, pure free-write – for 5 minutes. The prompt this week is INSTANT.
My time is up.
Instant whip image.
So to conclude:
God hears and responds in His perfect way to every prayer – even before I utter it myself.
My salvation is instant that I believe and repent; but my sanctification (my becoming more like Jesus) this takes at least the rest of our lives.
We need to lean in to God for everything and be patient, trusting that our times are in His hands and all His ways are perfect and safe.
I heard recently that Impatience is simply our focus on the I and the Me – on what I’m getting! God knows what I need!
dawnfanshawe 
