When the Vision Tarries: Why I Still Hold On to God’s Promise
“For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
For it will certainly come, it will not delay.”
— Habakkuk 2:3
I was only eight years old when I first knew in my heart—I was going to live in Canada. I didn’t know how. I didn’t have the words to explain why. All I had was a deep, unshakable desire.
Growing up, I was constantly asked, “Why Canada? Why not New Zealand or Australia—much closer to the Philippines? Why not the Middle East, where your family lives? Or the US or the UK?”
And truthfully—I never had a logical answer. I just knew I wanted to be in Canada.
Closed Doors and Delayed Timing
In 2015, I took the leap. I prepared everything for my student visa to Canada.
I waited for months...and got denied.
So I tried again. And again, the door closed.
But something in me couldn’t let go of this desire.
Then came 2017. I decided to try one more time—but this time, I surrendered it fully to God. I said, “Lord, this is Yours now. If it’s truly meant to be, I trust You to make it happen.”
I submitted my application in August 2017. School started in September.
Now here's the miracle: despite the normal 6–9 month waiting period for a visa...
God made it happen in 12 days.
That wasn’t a coincidence.
That’s what happens when we surrender it all to God.
When it’s His appointed time, He doesn’t just open doors—He swings them wide with power and speed.
And in retrospect, I realized something important: There were so many things in my life that didn’t align during those first two attempts. Looking back now, I’m truly grateful my visa wasn’t approved back then. Had it gone through, my life would have taken an entirely different path—one I now realize wasn’t aligned with God’s best for me. What once felt like rejection was really protection. What seemed like a delay was actually divine redirection.
The Promise Still Stands
Now, I’m in a new season. There are new promises I’m holding on to—some feel delayed. Some days, everything around me seems to be working against it. But when I look back on that moment in 2017—when God delivered the impossible—I remember:
🕊 God never fails. He’s never late. He’s always faithful.
Just like Habakkuk 2:3 says:
“Though the vision linger, wait for it. It will certainly come. It will not delay.”
And when doubt tries to creep in, I go back to Isaiah 55, where God reminds me His Words:
“My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts… My word will not return to Me void, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
— Isaiah 55:8–11
If you’re in the middle of the “not yet”—if the promise feels distant and everything looks opposite of what God said, let me remind you:
God’s delay is not His denial.
If He spoke it, He will do it.
Your story is already written—it’s just unfolding in His time.
He delivered before. He will deliver again.
Why? Because He is a Promise Keeper.
And our job?
Hold the vision. Wait in faith.
Because even when nothing seems to be happening, God is still working—behind the scenes and in ways we can’t yet see. His Word never fails, and His plans are far greater, far more incredible than anything we could ever imagine.
So may we surrender our lives into God’s hands, and let His will be done—now and forever.
Author: Romelle Maluto