2 Peter 3:9 NIV
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
“Daddy, let’s have a race!” I have to chuckle. Me against my 6 year old? There is no competition. Where is the fun for her, or even for me? “Get ready, get set, GO!” she says. We are off and running! I have set a pace that keeps me just a step or two ahead of her. There is a feeling of competitiveness in the race. As we are nearing the finish line it is uncertain who will cross first. Then, I slow down just enough so that she crosses a split second before I do. She wins! Amazingly everyone is happy.
When God looks at our lives, He could rush to judgement and we wouldn’t have any chance at repentance. But God’s desire is for us to win the race, so he slows down. Not because he had to, but because He wants to. His joy is increased as we come to repentance and cross the finish line of choosing to live holy, God centered lives.
There is more satisfaction in seeing my daughter’s joy than there would be in winning myself. So I slow down, not because I have to, but because I want to. God desires to see a similar joy in our lives, so he slows down, giving us time to catch up and draw close to Him in faith. Amazingly, eberuone is happy!
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