Article December 12, 2011 Issue

Expect delays? No way

Timothy Terry

While driving through the mountains recently, I came upon several roadwork projects. Each typically required some wait time for the work crews and other traffic. It was exasperating. Eventually I came upon a large sign with just two words on it: “Expect Delays.” My first reaction was a silent sarcastic remark, but as I continued to drive along, it dawned on me that this notion of delay was simply an inversion of the truth about God’s creation.

In fact, this notion of delay bombards us every day. It would claim that economic recovery will be delayed or that employment opportunities will not be available until some later date. That justice or healing can be delayed, or—one of my favorites, as I travel frequently—“your flight has been delayed.” It’s hard to count all the ways that mortal mind—a material sense of existence—would claim to delay God’s love and goodness for His creation.

Nevertheless, the claim of delay is just that—a claim. The good news is that it is a false claim. Not one iota of truth supports the belief that God’s care and support for His children can be delayed. Actually it’s quite the opposite, as can be proved through the teachings of Christ Jesus and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. In her spiritual interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer, Eddy offers readers insight into the passage “Thy kingdom come.” She writes: “Thy kingdom is come; Thou art ever-present” (Science and Health, p. 16). 