How Much Longer?
"Right now!" "It can't wait!" "What's taking so long?!" "Hurry up!"
These phrases are pretty much the norm in our world. Especially as we are all experiencing the effects of COVID-19. When can we get back to normal!? We want our food fast, our money faster and have no desire to wait for much of anything. Having this mentality may be okay in a few instances, but our lifestyle shouldn't reflect this attitude of instant gratification. Thankfully, there are a few things in life that we can do that give us instant results. For example: mowing the lawn, painting a wall, vacuuming a mess, washing your car. These are all things that can be done in an hour or less and we see the results right away. But not everything in life works like this. Losing weight, growing your savings, growing your hair, having a baby, finishing college, these things take time. We must work on them and see our progress as we go. Losing 20 or 30 pounds or whatever the number, always sounds good in the beginning and your motivation is great, then when you hit a plateau or go to a gathering with foods you can't eat, things get tough.
Saving money for a new home or a new car or for a renovation project sounds great, but when weeks and months go by and you are itching to have it all now, you can become a bit weary and even consider using the money for something else or charging the expense and paying interest. But those who wait, see a greater reward and will be less stressed. Accepting the fact that great things take time, helps you to transform your mindset about receiving. I remember wanting to know everything I could possibly know about God as quickly as possible once I got saved. Well after 13 and a half years of following Christ, I can tell you, it really doesn't matter how much you know about Him, it's all about knowing Him and building that relationship with Him, which takes… time.
I think if we chose to rewrite the word time, we should add about 16 more letter "i's" and 10 more letter "m's." So it would read "tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmmmmmmmmmme." Stressing that you must wait. As we grow in Christ, we learn new things all the time and God will continue to reveal things to you that you must let go so you can reach the next level. The higher you go, the less baggage you can bring. You cannot rise up and bring along dead weight. Whatever is not helping you, is hurting you. It will prevent you from moving forward. It can be something that seems menial now, but as you grow, you'll see that attitude you have against some people, will have to go. The little ounce of pride you're hanging on to, has to go. The good news is, God is with you and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM! Stay steady, keep the pace and don't look back!
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (AMP) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom]. And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.
Progressively - steadily; in stages; in a forward-looking, innovative manner.
Isaiah 40:31 (MSG) But for those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.
Psalm 37:34 (MSG) Wait passionately for God, don't leave the path. He’ll give you your place in the sun while you watch the wicked lose it.
