Several years ago I came across an article* that I have referred to several times in seeking to understand why desires and hopes are sometimes delayed. The concepts seem to apply to the desires set forth in this blog and to the hopes I have for MtnView-New Play Forum. The article is entitled, “Gleanings in Genesis: 32. Jacob’s Departure from Haran,” which is both fitting and ironic because my first proposed development project for MV-NPF is a musical entitled, Jacob & Kin.
The last three paragraphs of the article set forth THREE suggested gleanings that might help us understand the timing of God’s will in moving forward with the desires of our hearts. First, "a definite desire" springs up; second, ‘circumstances become such that a move [forward] seems the wise thing,’ (though this may be long delayed as with Jacob); and thirdly, “there [is] a clear word from God.”
When I read about these three gleanings, I thought how much they synced with the “Law of Witnesses”:
And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record .... (Book of Mormon Ether 5:4; see also D & C 6:28; 128:3; New Testament Matthew 18:16 and 2 Cor. 13:1)As I have seen family, friends, and others pursue worthy dreams that have failed despite their passion for and commitment to the work of their dreams, I have wondered if their first failure was to believe that “desire” was the governing and “moving” principle. But as Mr. Pink writes:
The most important thing is to wait on God. Tell Him your perplexity, ask Him to prevent you from making any mistake, cry earnestly to Him to make "plain His way before your face" (Ps. 5:8), and then "wait patiently" till He does so. Remember that "whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Rom. 4:23). If you are sincere and patient, and pray in faith, then, in His own good time and way, He will most certainly answer, either by removing the conviction or desire from your heart, and arranging your circumstances in such a manner that your way is blocked- and then you will know His time for you to move has not arrived- or, by deepening your conviction, so ordering your circumstances as that the way is opened up ..., and by speaking definitely through His written Word. "Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. (Ps. 37:5).And so, for the time being, I try to prepare as best I can for what may come to pass when the time is right.
For those who are interested in reading the script, Jacob & Kin, it can be found at Scribd.com: http://www.scribd.com/doc/141704987/Jacob-Kin . A portion of it can be read for free.
2019 Update:
The complete Jacob & Kin libretto is now available for reading at--------------------/
https://www.zanthymhouse.ca/musicals-plays/jacob-kin/
* http://www.biblebelievers.com/Pink/Gleanings_Genesis/genesis_32.htm OR http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Gleanings_Genesis/genesis_32.htm
** The author of the article is Arthur W. Pink (1886-1952), an English Christian evangelist: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Pink
