One of the variables of working in a large city is traffic. Accidents, construction, and erratic drivers all can contribute to a stressful commute. So, anticipating delay on my daily 21 mile drive into downtown Nashville, I intentionally leave my home early. Most of the time, by the grace of God, I arrive with a little time to spare.

Recently, though, I had an unusually quick trip downtown. My unobstructed commute was punctuated by an unchallenged descent to the 7^th level below ground in the parking garage.

Having extra time on my hands, I decided to pull out my phone and catch up on Instagram. Tapping the icon, the header immediately popped up. However, the photo download paused while refreshing the feed. What appeared was a fuzzy picture with a little circle indicator that the app was still downloading. While I could see who posted, I could not fully see what they had posted.

So here I sat, 7 stories underground, with a partial download.

As I reflected on my predicament, I couldn’t help but think of divine “partial downloads” I have received on my faith journey. While I knew that God was speaking to a certain circumstance or situation, honestly, it felt like the download was incomplete. Along the way, there have been fuzzy pictures, vague impressions, and bits of insight that offered partial clarity, but never a “download complete” alert about some things. Can you relate?

Looking more deeply into the blurry image on my phone, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthian church. “For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God]” (1 Corinthians 13:12 AMP). What a word of hope! What sweet assurance that the rest of the download will come!

Author and speaker, Graham Cooke has said, “If God does not speak initially, He will always speak eventually.” So what do we do in between the “initially” and the “eventually”? I believe we have a choice. We can sit and be paralyzed by our lack of clarity, or we can gratefully embrace what we do see. We can resist a partial download as a cruel tease, or we can receive it as a loving invitation. We can wallow in our misperception of the nature of God, or we can rest secure in the everlasting arms of an intentionally loving Father. The choice is ours.

Perhaps this is why Paul encouraged the Ephesian Church saying, “I keep asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God” (Ephesians 1:17 NLT).

If you are feeling like you are sitting 7 stories underground with a 'partial download' about your past, present, or future, know this. God will fulfill every purpose for you and perfect that which concerns you. You will not miss “it” or be late for “it.” Receive His peace today. Rest in the assurance that He will fulfill His promise, “I will lead the blind by a way they do not know; I will guide them in paths that they do not know. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These things I will do [for them], and I will not leave them abandoned or undone” (Isaiah 42:16 AMP). He will not leave you abandoned or undone. Why not take some time and thank Him now!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

[Looking for more devotionals like this? Check-out 31 Days of Encouragement, available for purchase on-line. Sharing a devotional at the beginning of a rehearsal or a staff meeting is a great way to help people center their hearts and minds on eternal things!]