Last week, I was on my way back from spin class, in a major hurry to get home to my dog, eat some good food, and just relax after a long work day. Doesn’t sound like something you would need to hurry for, but that’s just me sometimes. My gas light blinked on and I read the words, “Warning: Low Fuel”. I was pissed at myself for not getting gas sooner but also kind of pissed at myself for even being mad that I had to stop and get gas. I didn’t REALLY have anywhere to be, I was just impatient pretty much for no reason. I have been noticing myself doing that a lot more lately and this time seemed extra prevalent. I was cruising down the street and hit a red light right next to a Shell station. I’m not sure if Shell stations are ridiculously expensive where you live, but here they are one of the most expensive gas stations around. $0.50 – $0.60 more PER GALLON, which makes a huge difference when gas is already $3.50 a gallon. Crazy, I know.

My mind was racing thinking about everything that I had done that day and how much work I actually still could do that evening. It seemed like this was the longest red light in Southern California. As the minutes (probably more like seconds) passed by, I was like screw it, I am just going to pull in here, spend extra, and just get home. I put my blinker on and then paused. I knew that past this red light, just one block over was an ARCO, which has the cheapest gas for $2.95. Yet I was still in such a non-hurry that I was going to willingly forego patience and the wisdom of waiting for probably ONE more minute, to quickly satisfy my fuel light and get on with what I was planning for the rest of my night.

This may have been the strangest time to connect with God and understand his message to me, but that’s what ended up happening. I had a goal, I had no patience, and was willing to take a much lesser option because of instant gratification. I knew that there was a better option just beyond where I was and where I could see, but I didn’t want to wait and trust in what I knew to be true in order to get to it.

Does this ring a bell? It totally did for me. I trust (more like hope, since marriage is not promised) that there is a spectacular man of God for me in my future. That excites me, the idea that someone is praying just as hard for me as I am for them. And even if not, I trust that God has a plan for my life, better than I could construct in my wildest dreams. Yet, late at night or in moments of insecurity, I find myself essentially foregoing the idea that God is good and putting my trust in myself. Stopping off at the convenient gas station, instead of patiently waiting for the BEST option.

I am here to tell you, remind you, gently plead with you — do not give up. Do not stop striving for what you know is the best, most full option for your life. Treasure yourself and try to gain a glimpse of your worth from a perspective that is not the one staring back at you in the mirror day in and day out.

The book of Ephesians is a letter from Paul to the church of Ephesus. To sum it up, it talks about living in community with everyone from all walks of life and what it means to live out your life as a follower of Christ based on the promises we put our trust in. Ephesians 3 has been a chapter so close to my heart these past few months. Ephesians 3:20 is well known (and is actually the concept behind one of my tattoos) but the fact that it is well known does not take away from the power stated in this verse. I urge you to read the entire chapter, heck even the whole book, but here are the words from Ephesians 3:20 —

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”

Immeasurably more. Not just more. Immensely more.

Do you trust that God is able to do more than you could ever imagine in your life? With men, yes, but with your career, your family, and your dreams?

Wait. Continue to wait. Continue to grow your knowledge of Jesus, of the Bible, and what God says are promises that we can hold onto in our lives. Continue to figure out your interests, continue to figure out what books you like reading, what new hobbies you want to invest in, what friends you can spend more time pouring in to. Is there a place on the map you have been dying to see? Save, research, and GO. Invest in yourself. Learn. Seek out adventures and wisdom. The longest relationship you will ever be in is with yourself, cherish it.

Do not settle for instant gratification that will only hold you over for a short while. Do not seek validation and worth through people who will not treasure your heart and your discipline. Pearls before swine, my dear friends… “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matt. 7:6)

You are worth waiting for.

Breathe in, wait, and soon enough, the light will turn green.