Some people might look at my life and say, “Lee has preached in a lot of places and he has a fruitful ministry.” But you should know that I waited a long time to see that fruit. Nothing came quickly. My first job lasted eight difficult years, and the pay wasn’t adequate. After that I went through lengthy seasons of dryness, and I often wanted to quit. I didn’t start preaching until I was 43, and I didn’t enter full-time ministry until I was 52. Everything in my life has been slow.
The apostle Peter wrote: “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time” (1 Pet. 5:6). Don’t be in a hurry as you go through life. God’s blessings rarely happen overnight. The Lord’s timing is different from yours. We want Him to answer our prayers instantly, but He may lead us into a wilderness of testing to shape our character. Just as there are speed limits on the road, God imposes speed limits—especially when we are in His “school zone.” If you rush through life, anxiously pursuing your own goals, you could miss His best. Be patient and you will see a harvest in the end!