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By Mike Caton

John 16:18, They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

How often have we wondered what a little while is? I suppose it depends on whether you are the one asking when something is going to happen or you are the one planning the thing! The one waiting usually has nothing to do but wait and anticipate the event, think about a child asking to go somewhere special. The one getting the event together usually has too much to do; people to call, food or whatever to get ready, people to get ready, and so forth. Time is relative, and perspective makes a great deal of difference.

We’ve already thought about the disciples’ confusion, their misunderstanding about what is going to take place. The time question just adds another layer of frustration to the mix. But what if we learned to simply trust Jesus more. How far would that go in easing our frustration and anxiety levels? Just as a child trusts his parents, we need to trust our heavenly Father. Children simply trust their parents to take care of them; feed them, clothe them, have a roof over their head, and so forth. And when children are told they are going on a vacation, for example, they do nothing except get excited about when they are leaving. They don’t pack their clothes, they don’t plan the route, they don’t check the car, they don’t get their money right, they just squirm around, wanting (and waiting) to leave.

But as adults, we can’t be that trusting, that confident in God. We need to take care of things ourselves. Sure, God said he would take care of it, but what if he doesn’t? What if he forgets something? What if he gets distracted by something else? That sounds pretty silly, right? But aren’t those the things we do? The things we worry about? Instead, we need to learn to trust God even more.

Father, help me wait and trust. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works part time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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