«Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in good season we shall reap if we do not lose heart» (Galatians 6:9).
Since I like to write, I collect interesting words and phrases that people say. Several months ago my friend Belinda said something I immediately wrote in a notebook I always carry in my purse. At first glance, the phrase is quite simple: «It takes longer!» What takes longer? Everything. It takes a lot longer than we expected to advance our career. It takes longer to build and maintain healthy relationships. But above all, it takes a long time to change: to lose weight, to stop criticizing, to learn to set limits, to establish an exercise routine, or to accept criticism without getting on the defensive. This all takes a lot longer than we would like. Why does it take so long for God to sanctify us? Think about it. He has the power. God could just snap His fingers and transform us in an instant. Why doesn’t He do it? Perhaps one of the reasons is that delay forces us to depend more on Him.
In her book Extravagant Grace, Barbara Duguid stated, «God thinks you will come to love Him more as a desperate and weak sinner who continually needs grace than you would as a triumphant Christian warrior who wins each and every battle against sin.» Perhaps if God transformed us in an instant, in the blink of an eye, we would think that we no longer needed Him or that we would love Him less (Luke 7:47). On the other hand, it is also important to note that God is eternal and that His perception of time is different (2 Peter 3:8). God never rushes because He never runs out of time.
Abraham was seventy-five when God promised him many offspring, but he had to wait twenty-five years before Isaac was born. Joseph had to wait fifteen to twenty-five years before his prophetic dreams came true. The people of Israel endured nearly four hundred years of slavery before God rescued them (were two hundred not enough?) David waited about fourteen years from the moment he was anointed until he became king. Everything takes longer, much longer than we expect, but God is faithful in completing His work. Don’t be discouraged; be patient. God is transforming your heart!
Dear Lord, thank You for your Spirit which transforms my life.
Please give me the patience to understand that while some battles will be longer than I would like, You will still be by my side.
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate.
