I am tempted to be discouraged when the things I would like to change take a long time. You know that expression, "two steps forward, one step back"? That's how we all feel, isn't it!
God told Israel they would conquer the nations before them “little by little.” Taking possession of your “Canaan”—the salvation of your soul—is also accomplished “little by little.” Our soul’s faculties—mind, emotion, and will—are gradually changed by the Holy Spirit as we give Him control. Our “new self,” under the Spirit’s control, is available for His use—and it is less and less under the control of “me.” Paul employs the same “little by little” concept in his writings with the term “walking.” But using Paul’s language, we might say we grow “step by step.” “Walking” means one’s conduct, behavior, and general manner of living—all that makes up a person’s philosophy, values, and consequent choices and actions. Just as we learned to walk in the natural world, step by step, with more than a little stumbling, we learn to walk spiritually. But this requires faith and patience.
And TIME!
Divine work and “time” partner together. God put us “in time” for a reason. He uses “time” to build character. He uses “time” to accomplish His purposes, i.e., Jesus was born in the “fullness of time.” It will take time for you to “know” the truth. And time to practice the truth. And, by the way, there are no shortcuts. Again and again, Paul uses the words “endurance” and “patience.” If it was not going to take “time” for us to grow and change, there would be no need of “endurance” and “patience.” Squash plants sprout overnight and grow to maturity within weeks. Great oak trees take years to mature. What do you want to be: a squash or an oak?
No comments:
Post a Comment