Don't Be Hasty

In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Two Towers, the hobbits Merry and Pippin encounter the Ents — ancient tree-shepherds who have guarded the forests of Middle-earth for thousands of years. Their leader, Treebeard, has a favorite saying: "Don't be hasty." When the hobbits beg the Ents to act against Saruman, who is burning down their forest, Treebeard insists that deciding anything takes time. The Entmoot — their great council — deliberates for days over what seems painfully obvious to two impatient hobbits.

But here is what makes the story remarkable. When the Ents finally decide to march on Isengard, their action is overwhelming. They tear down stone walls with their bare hands, redirect rivers, and dismantle the fortress in a single night. Their patience was never indecision. It was strength gathering.

We live in a world that mistakes speed for wisdom. We want answers now, resolution today, harvest this season. But Scripture reminds us, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you" (2 Peter 3:9). The patience of the Almighty is not divine hesitation. It is divine intention.

The next time you feel frustrated that God seems to be taking too long, remember the Ents. What looks like delay may be the Most High gathering something far more powerful than your timeline could hold. His patience is not passivity — it is preparation.