Time Space Continuum
“But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved,
that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years,
and a thousand years like one day.”
2 Peter 3:8
God is not stuck in time!
We are linear beings. We think and perceive in 4 dimensions (height, length, depth, and time). If you were to draw a three dimensional figure such as a cube and then draw an arrow showing movement through time, it would be the world as humans perceive it. Now draw a circle around the entire picture. Put God outside of that circle. God sees the world, our circumstances, all of existence outside of time. We ask Jesus to come into our hearts and forgive us of sin. We see that as sin past. God sees it as all of our sin without the constraint of time. He forgives us of sin. Period. God redeems our past, present, and future at the cross. So how should this change my world?
As Christians, we are no longer of this world. We can enter into the presence of God before His throne which exists in this 5th dimension above and beyond time and circumstances. John did this as he chronicled Revelation. Paul did this as he knew “…a man – whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know God knows – was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.” (2 Corinthians 12:3). We, too, can experience the presence of God through prayer. It is a discipline. It takes time and sacrifice and maturity, but we can come before the throne of grace. Here we learn the will of God. Here we sit and soak up the love of God. Here we are emboldened for the battle. Enter into His presence with thanksgiving and praise. Listen to His heart and hear His voice.
Usually, when I pray, I come before God with a list of needs for myself or others. And, yes, God is interested in those needs, but He desires so much more from His children than just a list. He wants a relationship. What keeps me from having that relationship? From entering the throne room? Usually busyness, selfishness, tiredness, immaturity, or doubt. My flesh still cries out for its needs to be met. It demands frequent food and adequate sleep. It wants comfort and no pain. To spend time before God requires denying my body of some of these things. I must rise early to have the time to spend with Him. I must fast at times to prepare my heart. I must put out of my mind the circumstances that are overwhelming my life. I must crucify my flesh daily that I might live for Him. I am not very good at this. Being in pain most of the time can make me selfish. Being angry at someone can make me believe that I am in control and therefore protected. But if I desire to know the will of God, then I must hear from Him.
Are your prayers not being answered? God says to ask and He will give it to you. But He says to ask according to His will. Learn His will first, then ask and mountains will be thrown into the sea! This is a lifelong learning and discipline. I am still practicing it and am convicted to put more effort in this direction. You say that you love God, then show by your actions and spend time with Him. Those hours are not wasted, they are redeemed because you will be fruitful in all that you put your hands to according to His will that you now know rather than spinning your wheels hoping to make a good choice.
As I challenge you, I am also challenged.