I just recently watched a show called Worst Cooks in America. I think I liked it because I felt like Gordon Ramsay or Guy Fieri compared to some of the people on the show. And trust me, that’s saying a lot. My go-to meal is chicken tenders with rice and a side of either green beans or asparagus. Basic, I know. But no matter what, I always start the same way: boil the water for the rice, add the rice, then move the pot to the back burner. It’s not done; it’s just cooking slower.
What if God does the same thing in our lives? What if some of the dreams, callings, and desires we have aren’t gone, they’re just on simmer? They aren’t finished yet; they’re just on the back burner.
That is exactly what we see in the life of David. In 1 Samuel, David was anointed as the future king of the Israelites when he was a young shepherd boy (1 Samuel 16:13). However, he didn’t go straight to the palace after this moment; he went back to the pasture, serving his sheep.
And that is where he stayed for a while. Even after killing Goliath and gaining popularity, he still faced many trials. He was chased by King Saul, forced into hiding in caves, and spent many years living on the run. The Bible says that David was thirty years old when he finally became king over Judah. (2 Samuel 5:4). That means David waited 15 years between when he was anointed and when he actually became king.
David’s story reminds us that God’s timing is not our timing. Sometimes we know we have been called and have a big vision for our life, but the reality is that it often takes a long time for the vision to come to pass. In the middle, we might face delays, detours, setbacks, and even times when it feels like nothing is happening. However, I have learned that it is in these moments that God is stretching our faith and trust in His perfect timing. James 1:4 says, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
So today, if you find yourself feeling like you are wasting your life or your dreams are on hold, remember that God is still at work. Just like the pot of rice simmering on the back burner, your dreams and calling are not forgotten; they are just cooking slower. Keep persevering, keep trusting, keep walking by faith, and keep your eyes on Jesus. When God is finished cooking, it will be better than you could ever ask, think, or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20).
The Bigger Picture: Sometimes God puts our dreams on the backburner, not to forget them, but to prepare us for them.
The Bigger Picture 