learning to rely on the Lord's timing

As part of my New Testament course this semester I will be writing weekly reflections about what I learned from the class and my personal study of the New Testament. My course covers the second half of the New Testament so we started in Acts. One of the things that we talked about in class that really touched me was the story of Peter healing the lame man in Acts Chapter 3. The man had begged for money outside the temple everyday for his entire life. Because the Savior spent much time teaching and healing in and around the temple it is likely that the lame man saw Jesus and perhaps even witnessed him heal another man. Perhaps he even hoped that Christ would heal him, and that one day he would be able to enter into the temple instead of begging at the gate. Although this man was not healed by the Savior Himself in His mortal ministry, He was healed through the power and authority of Christ, as exercised by Peter. Peter says to the man “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). If Christ had healed this man then perhaps those who saw Peter heal the man, and as a result were converted to the gospel may not have had the chance to join the church. Because he waited patiently and with faith the Lord was able to use him as a tool unto the conversion of many others.
This past week I had an experience where I learned to be patient and to rely on the Lord and His timing. I submitted my mission papers a few weeks ago, and I am waiting for my call to come (a mission call is a missionary’s assignment which tells them where they are going and when they are leaving). In Provo mission calls come in the mail on Wednesdays. Last Wednesday happened to be my birthday and my best friend from home was visiting me. I really hoped that my call would come in the mail on that day. It didn’t come, but a few of my friends who submitted their paperwork after me received their calls. I was frustrated that my call didn’t come and probably even a little jealous of my friends who got theirs. However, I realized that the Heavenly Father has a plan for me and that I will get my mission call at the exact time that He wants me to have it. I know that there is a reason that I have to wait a little bit longer than some of my friends, and it will be for my benefit and perhaps even the benefit of others.
I testify that the power and authority of the Savior can heal all of us. Not just from physical ailments like lameness but from our flaws and sins as well. We must however, like the lame man, wait patiently and with faith. If we rely on the Lord and on His timing we will be blessed with the greatest blessings just like the lame man from the story. What Heavenly Father has in mind for us is always better than what we would have chosen for ourselves.