Recently I wrote several posts about a time in my life when I desperately needed God’s healing, forgiveness, and direction. It is good to look back and recall God’s faithfulness to me in the past, when my present-day realities seem tedious, unchanging, or hard to bear. I’m encouraged to persevere, as I recall His trustworthiness.
There have been times in my life when I’ve been discouraged at the slowness of change, or healing, or growth. In my foolish estimations, I think that God could work a lot faster, and I often wish He would. During these moments, I do well to remember that Jesus (the Kingdom personified), during His days on earth, healed people one at a time. He spoke directly to individuals when they sought Him specifically, and He was most often alone as He prayed.
Sometimes I am still shocked at the ungodly tendencies that still remain in me. I’m surprised at my sinful responses in some situations.
It could make me question whether God is at work or if He even knows of my struggles. I forget that, when He came there was not an immediate change everywhere, for everyone, and for all time, even though the Kingdom had, in all His glory, just arrived on earth. Jesus was intentional about doing only what His Father told Him, and He did not get freaked out by demands and pressures.
What I have learned about patience is that I have to experience feeling exasperated, to realize the necessity of choosing it. The only times I can legitimately practice it, are when I am becoming (or already!) irked or bothered. Through the power of God’s spirit, I can:
- choose to trust God, rather than acting on my feelings, and do my part to cooperate with His good work in me.
- choose to believe His promise when He says He will finish the good work He began in me.
- believe He will work everything together for good to those who are called and love Him.
There are times that Jesus taught large groups and fed multitudes, but most days, He was simply a faithful, loving Son, intent on obeying His Father.
Lord, thank you for bringing me to where I am today and forgive me for the times I have not been content with your plan or your timing. Thank you for the wisdom available in your word that continues to guide and strengthen me each day. Amen.
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