During Lower School Chapel recently, I had the opportunity to share a message that has stayed close to my heart for many years. It’s a truth my wife and I first heard nearly 12 years ago when Dr. Derek Thomas, former pastor of First Presbyterian Church, preached on how God answers prayer.

His message was simple, but powerful: God answers our prayers in three ways—yes, no, and not yet.

Sometimes we pray, and God says yes. We see the answer clearly, and often quickly. Other times, the answer is no. That can be harder to accept, especially when what we’re asking for that we deem right and something that we deeply desire. And then there are times when God says not yet—when the answer is delayed, and we’re asked to wait.

Scripture reminds us of this truth in Isaiah 60:20:
“At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.”

Waiting is rarely easy. In fact, it can feel like silence. It can feel like our prayers are going unanswered. But the truth is, every prayer is heard. God is always at work, even when we don’t immediately see the results we hoped for or expected.

I shared with our lower school students that no matter how God answers—yes, no, or not yet—we can rest in the assurance that He is actively involved in our lives. His timing is intentional. His plans are good. And His answers are always rooted in love, even when they don’t align with our own timeline.

One example of “not yet” has come from my own life. I applied for the Head Football Coach position here at Ben Lippen in 2013 and again in 2014, and I didn’t get the job either time. At the time, it was disappointing, and honestly, it felt like the door had been closed. Looking back now, I can see it clearly; it wasn’t a “no,” it was a “not yet.”

In 2022, that door finally opened, and I was able to walk through it. God’s timing was different than mine, but it was perfect.

That’s the encouragement I hope our students, and all of us, can lean on in those moments. When you pray, trust that God hears you. When you’re waiting, trust that He’s working. And when the answer comes in a form you didn’t expect, trust that His plan is greater than what you could see in the moment.

Whether the answer is yes, no, or not yet, know this: God is faithful, present, and always at work in your life.