Its so easy to get caught up in a material world that makes you feel inferior without the latest trend or newest gadget. And when we see someone else with a bigger house, newer car, nicer clothes, prettier hair, better (insert item here), instead of being happy for them and sharing in their joy we get jealous. We complain and say “I want that!” and “I need that!” and “Why not me, God?!”

But love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t compare. It doesn’t get jealous or want what others have.

Love celebrates with others. Love rejoices in the blessings God has given to our friends and family. Love shares in the joy of others.

When we are free from the grip of comparisons and the societal burden of have-nots we can freely give thanks for all things. We can be happy with what we have as well as what others have, even when they are not the same.

I think back to a few of our past mission teams sharing about the happiness and joy of those they’ve served in the D.R. Those who have comparatively less than us perhaps have greater joy than we know. Instead of complaining about what they don’t have and the hardships they face, they rejoice in the Lord and sing of His goodness.

Perhaps we need to remember that as we scroll through our social media this week. Let us be content in the blessings God has given us, and let us rejoice and share in the joyful praise of others for the good things He has given them as well.

Because when we all are united in love we share in each other’s blessings, and sin and temptation and the evils of this world can seem to fade away.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:9-10, 21

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8

So when we talk to God we expect the same response. An immediate answer to prayer. An instantaneous sign for the next step we are to take. But as we heard in church just a few weeks ago, God’s answer can sometimes be, “No, not right now.” Or those dreaded words, “Just wait.”

We hate the words waiting and patience. I think for many of us we automatically picture sitting in a line at the DMV (although that is probably more quickly paced these days too). We don’t want to wait. We don’t like not knowing. We don’t want to practice being patient.

You wanna talk about patience… how about 400 years of waiting?! God’s people waited 400 years for a Messiah and Savior to come. This time period is often called the “400 Years of Silence”.

But just because we don’t hear God (or sometimes we may just think we don’t hear Him), doesn’t mean we are alone or that He is not working. He does not move slowly; He moves perfectly. He works all things out for the good and He is walking alongside us all the while.

If you are feeling like you are stuck waiting, if you feel like your prayers are not being answered, if you feel like God is silent… open your Bible. Open His word and see how He works and how He is faithful in all He promises. If He has promised it, He will not fail or forget or withhold the good things He has planned for you.

But He may ask you to wait.

But in that waiting He is orchestrating, moving, shaping, and preparing the way for you. I read this verse from Exodus and it reminds me of His power and work behind the scenes:

“I will not drive them out before you in a single year; otherwise the land would become desolate and wild animals would multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out ahead of you, until you become fruitful and possess the land.” (Exodus 23:29-30)

Don’t give up or assume your prayers are not heard because you don’t see the answer you want right when you want it. Trust in the Lord. Wait upon the Lord. And be patient for His perfect timing to bring about greater answers than you could ever even ask.

Because love is patient.