Journey

We watched Evan Almighty last night. Funny movie. This part in the movie really stood out to me and I can't believe how right it is: 


Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other? 




No matter how we pray or what we ask for, God gives us what He knows we need. Or even better yet He gives us the chance to handle it for ourselves by presenting the perfect opportunity. 


It also reminds me of that little story about the stranded man on top of a house:


A man was trapped in a flood on top of a barn.  He prayed, calling out to God and a voice came from heaven saying, “I will save you, my son.”  With that confidence, he relaxed on the roof and awaited his rescue.  Soon, a man in a canoe came by and told him there was room in the front.  The man said no because he was waiting for God to save him.  As the waters continued to rise, a motorboat came by and offered him a ride.  Again, he turned it down and awaited divine rescue.  Finally, as the waters neared the top of the roof a helicopter flew by, dropped a basket and yelled down for him to crawl in.  He waved them off and sat there anticipating the divine deliverance.  It never came.  He went up to heaven and asked God a question.  “What happened?  You told me I would be rescued, but it never came.”  God looked at him and said, “What are you talking about?  I sent you a canoe, a boat and a helicopter.” 




It seems as though we are waiting for God to handle everything and sometimes forget that it's not just the answer to our prayers that matter but it's the journey.