You got two strikes and here comes the third pitch. Will you swing and miss, or will you hit a home run? Waiting for the right pitch is tough at times.  

One of my favorite dialogues in the Bible is recorded here. Paul is giving personal testimony as he continues to speak to issues that has been plaguing the church in Corinth. Paul shares about a talk he has had with the Lord.  

“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-8  

Paul had a “thorn in his flesh”. He says he has pleaded with the Lord about this “thorn in his flesh” asking multiple times. Then the response from the Lord happens. If you read this in a red-letter Bible you will notice the response is indeed in RED LETTERS. This means these are the actual words of Jesus. Paul wasn’t going to the confessional booth to meet Jesus. Jesus had already ascended into heaven, yet He was actively speaking to Paul just like He does to us now. Comforting to know Jesus speaks to us in our prayers.  

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9  

Have you pleaded with the Lord? Do you plead with the Lord? We often stop short of praying without ceasing. Giving up on taking things to the Lord. Why? We have been raised up in a world that teaches instant gratification or answers. Let me be clear: The Lord doesn’t reply on the world’s timetable. Often, He is desiring for us to press into dialoguing with Him. The results of dialoguing with Him is we become more like Christ. The waiting is really a teaching/learning thing. Don’t strike out swinging at pitches that aren’t yours to swing at. Wait on the Lord, the answers often come like this one did for Paul. He didn’t get the answer he was originally looking for he got something better. The voice of the Lord in his life.  

- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.