For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
life. (John 3:16)

In my research according to Martin Luther, this is “the heart

of the Bible, the Gospel in miniature.” Its words are a delight
for saints and solace for sinners.
In my preparation for today’s sharing, I tried my best to
recall the first time I encountered this bible text. I remember
the first time I learned about this when I was in Grade 6
when our teacher used this in our Values Education Class. I
only knew that Jesus sacrificed for us, and that was it. I did
not know anything more. Then, when I was in high school,
our Values Education teachers kept on instructing us to
memorize the song: Tell the World of His Love. I only knew
that Jesus sacrificed for us, and that was it. I did not know
anything more.

And fast forward today, I was invited to speak before you.

And I did my best to deeply reflect so that I not only know
that Jesus sacrificed for us, and that’s it. I have to know more.

In my reflection, John 3:16 bears so much love of God for us,

the greatness of God, the greatness of his favor and grace for
us. We cannot separate the Love of God from the Gift of God
And we cannot separate the Gift of God from the Son of God.

But in my young experience, I have learned that God’s favor,

God’s love for us does not always take the form of
conventional blessings like answered prayers probably
having a high score in tests, healing and recovery, new car,
new friends, opportunities to travel. God’s love for us does
not always take in the forms of YES, SURE, GO AHEAD, and
CONGRATULATIONS.

God’s love for us may take in the forms of NO, NOT YET,
STOP, and IT’S NOT FOR YOU. And I could not think of more
difficult words than NO, NOT YET, STOP, and IT’S NOT FOR
YOU.

NO is a two letter word. But it could be hurtful. Can you think

of the moments when the universe answered you with a NO?
or a NOT YET? Or IT’S NOT FOR YOU? How did you feel?
Perhaps, you cried. You felt bad. You felt that life is unfair.
You question your worth. Your value. You asked, am I valid?
Am I worth it?

In the tapestry of our spiritual journey, God's love often

communicates in the nuanced language of "NO" and "NOT
YET." There are times when our fervent prayers seem to be
met with a resolute "NO" from the divine. In these moments,
it's crucial to recognize that God's refusal is not a rejection
but rather a redirection. His omniscient understanding sees
beyond our limited perspective, steering us away from paths
that may lead to harm or spiritual stagnation. The divine
"NO" is an act of love, guiding us toward a greater purpose
that aligns with His perfect plan.

Equally significant is the notion of "NOT YET." There are

seasons in our lives when God, in His infinite wisdom, gently
says, "NOT YET, my child." This temporal delay is not an
indication of neglect but an invitation to cultivate patience,
faith, and perseverance. God's timing is impeccable, and the
"NOT YET" in our prayers is an affirmation that He is
orchestrating events for our benefit. As we navigate the
interplay of "NO" and "NOT YET" in our spiritual journey, let
us trust in the boundless love of God, confident that every
response, whether a gentle delay or a loving redirection, is a
manifestation of His unwavering care for our lives.

In the journey of faith, it's in these challenging times that we

must seek strength and courage from the wellspring of our
faith. While a divine "NO" may initially feel like a setback, it
is, in fact, an opportunity for spiritual growth. God's wisdom
surpasses our understanding, and His refusal might be a
redirection towards a path that aligns more closely with His
purpose for our lives. Finding strength in the face of a divine
"NO" requires a deep trust in God's plan, knowing that His
love and guidance remain steadfast even in moments of
apparent disappointment.

Patience becomes a virtue of paramount importance when

we navigate the space between our prayers and God's
timing. In the midst of the "NOT YET" in our lives, cultivating
patience is an exercise in fortifying our faith. It is a testament
to our belief that God's timing is perfect, even when it
doesn't align with our immediate desires. As we patiently
wait, our faith deepens, transforming into an unshakable
anchor that steadies us through the uncertainties.
Strengthening our faith in the face of unanswered prayers
requires an acknowledgment that God's ways are higher, His
plans are purposeful, and His love is a constant source of
strength.

Perhaps the most patient woman in the Bible, is Mary mother of Jesus
herself. From the day the angel Gabriel first told her she would be the mother of
God’s son, and throughout Jesus’ life, she displayed a rare quality of patient
understanding, acceptance, and faith.

Twice in Luke chapter 2, it says that she “treasured all these things in her heart”, as if
she was just patiently taking them in. She really had no idea what God’s plan was
for Jesus, but she trusted anyway, and weathered the ups and downs with grace.

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the
manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told
them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to
them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:16-19 (NIV)

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother
treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in
favor with God and man.
Luke 2:51-52 (NIV)

In moments of waiting, when our prayers seem to linger in

the corridors of time, God's love whispers, "NOT YET, but
trust in my perfect timing." It is a reminder that His love is
not confined to the present alone, but stretches into the
future, promising fulfillment beyond our understanding. As
we navigate the intricate tapestry of our lives, let us anchor
ourselves in the assurance of John 3:16, where God's love
declares both "NO" to despair and "NOT YET" to the
uncertainties, ultimately guiding us towards the eternal
promise of life in Him.

The year is coming to an end soon and I think, looking back

to see how we did in all those twelve months has become a
part of it. Well, it hasn’t ended yet and we know that so much
can still happen. While we can still look forward to all that
can be, we can learn to accept that some of the things we
have expected and hoped to happen this year aren’t coming
to be yet. Maybe, a lot of them didn’t happen, and some
probably won’t anymore.
Not only this year, but in life in general, let’s be grateful even
for the things that didn’t happen. Let’s trust in Him whose
plans for us has always been for the best. What didn’t
happen can be a redirection to something better; and what
was never allowed can be protection from a wrong decision.
There is no closed door that He cannot open for us and the
doors he meant for us, no one can close.

I am grateful for what did not happen. I am thankful for what

was not allowed.

In the tapestry of our lives, there may be moments when we question our worthiness,
when doubts and insecurities threaten to cast shadows on our souls. Yet, let me remind
each and every one of you that God's love knows no bounds, no conditions, and no
limitations. It is a love that surpasses understanding, a divine embrace that cradles us in
our moments of joy and lifts us in our moments of despair.

It is a love that is not contingent on our successes or failures, our strengths or

weaknesses. It is a love that sees beyond our flaws and imperfections, embracing us in
our entirety. As we gather here in fellowship, let us take solace in the profound truth
that God's love is an anchor for our souls, a constant presence that guides us through
the ebb and flow of life. May this assurance resonate within the depths of our beings,
inspiring us to love one another as God loves us and to navigate our journeys with
grace, knowing that we are cherished beyond measure.

After all, For

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life. (John 3:16)