Scripture
But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you.
He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you.
God takes the time to do everything right—everything.
Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones. Isaiah 30:18

So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. James 1:4

Observation
Sometimes it is quiet, too quiet. Sometimes the road is long, too long. Sometimes the clock ticks too slowly, way too slowly. But God is at work then as much as then as when life is moving at warp speed.

When life slows down to construction-zone-speed, what would God say to us? I think it would be something like this,

When nothing is happening, something is happening. I’ve not stopped being good to you. My delays are just a wind up to an even greater work I will do in you. I am a craftsman. I don’t cut corners. My favourite word is “thorough.” I take my time to do it right. As far as you are concerned, waiting makes all of the difference. Don’t try to take shortcuts. Take your time through the construction zone. If you do, you will come out the better for it. I’m about to lead you into the best season of your life.

Application
My strength is to be an achiever, I like to get things done. But my weakness is when God takes his time. I feel like the delays are wasted time, that I need to fill them will production. God, however, does not work that way. When he waves the “slow” sign in the construction zone, I need to listen.

Prayer
Father, some days you come to me dressed in the orange of a highway worker. I want to move fast, but you caution me to take my time to get the most out of the experience. Today, I choose to listen. Amen.