Mark 4:9 – Then [Jesus] said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (ESV)

Recently, I was in a store doing my grocery shopping. As I waited at the till, I heard a little voice in the next aisle. I say that I heard, but the reality was that most of the shop could hear this small child screaming, "Gimme, gimme, gimme" persistently for about fifty times — I kid you not!

The child continued on and eventually gave up, much to everyone's relief, as the mother either gave in or somehow redirected the child's attention. It was such an impassioned plea, and I was not about to meddle to find out more, in case I stoked the fire of the child's entreaty.

In the hiatus of waiting in line for the conveyor belt to move so that I could pay and go, I reflected upon the child's words: "Gimme, gimme, gimme." I thought, There is a reflection of the human condition! How many of us can really say that we have not made similarly impassioned pleas for stuff to have from our Saviour?

Then, a January 1970 song by Chairmen of the Board entitled "Give me just a little more time" came to the fore, surpassing the "Gimme, gimme, gimme" thought.

It is a song about a couple of young lovers. One of them does not want to rush into this new relationship, to get too close too soon, as apparently the other party does.

For me it speaks of someone who has been hurt from a previous relationship and is scared to commit to the new one in case they become disappointed by the new beau. General Johnson, the singer of the song, puts so much passion into the words as he sings that it really interprets the dilemma of a torn heart.

As I was still waiting in the queue, up popped the thought that Jesus is often saying to us, "Give Me just a little more time", before we rush off into the world, the day, or the situation. We have trust and patience issues — well, I do, anyway. According to my family, I have ADHD as a side dish to my dyslexia.

It gets easier as I get older, forced to slow down enough to listen and wait upon God, if I will give Him just a little more time. I do not want to be dissatisfied by not hearing what God has to say today. In some manner, I sense that I am still saying "Gimme, gimme, gimme" to Jesus, only this time, I am asking for more mindfulness of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In this place, let us all look for a starting point for something more meaningful, intimate, and longer lasting.

Prayer: Lord, today, we ask that You would heal the hurts, fears, and doubts that stop us from going deeper into Your everlasting love, by the power of the Holy Spirit. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Rod Marshall <roderickhenrymarshall@gmail.com>
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
Send your feedback to the author