There are no shortcuts to maturity!
"I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns." Philippians 1:6 (LB)
It takes years for us to grow to adulthood, and it takes a full season for fruit to mature and ripen. The same is true for the fruit of the Spirit. Spiritual growth, like physical growth, takes time.
While we worry about how fast we grow, God is concerned about how strong we grow. Today we're obsessed with speed, but God is more interested in strength and stability than swiftness.
When Habakkuk became depressed because he didn't think God was acting quickly enough, God had this to say:
"These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!" Habakkuk 2:3 (LB)
A delay is not a denial from God. Remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be. God isn't finished with you, so keep on moving forward.
Even the snail reached the ark by persevering!
How true! Maturity has been slow for me, especially in my Christian faith. Impatience and need for control kept me from growing up and out into the world. Impatience with God can really hold you back. Learning that God isn’t likely pop in with instant fixes “for me” but would solve the issues “with me” is “growing me up.”
I think I learned the hard way that there are some principles in life that you cannot break, you only break yourself upon them. I learned through growing up is hard at every age and that I’m still doing it. It’s when I think I’ve “arrived” that I begin to see how far I have to go. The good news is that we’ve all got company on this journey.
>> This Sunday we’ll be talking about “Distraction” on the Journey. Specifically I’m asking if we all have a bit of Spiritual A.D.D. [Attention Deficit Disorder] Should be interesting 8>)