It is a delight to watch a person develop a skill, seeing them put in the time and effort necessary that makes it possible for them to do that thing they do with excellence and joy. Many of us dream about ‘what could be’ but our wishes never turn into a reality … be it a toned body, a solid marriage, a useful skill, or a mature Christianity. Why? We do not value the process.
The folly of merely wishing for the best life comes through this humorous old proverb – “If wishes were horses, then all beggars would ride.” Think about that.
Generally,
we have little patience, right? We are accustomed to quick fixes. We love the
self-help gurus that offer us 3 easy steps to our goal, whose words imply there
is a single thread that we can follow to success. That has not
been my experience.
*Our marriage that brought me much joy
demanded that Bev and I work hard on our relationship consistently.
*Becoming an effective Pastor was a process encouraged by many, over time, including
making mistakes along the way that required change and development.
*Christian maturity that allows me to have a rich relationship with God has
been the result, at least partially, of living out the disciplines of the
Spirit over time.
The holy Scripture says “do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere (patient endurance) so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-37) The writer was addressing people who were going through persecution for their faith, who wondered about the reward of serving Jesus. His counsel? “Never give up. God is faithful!”
An inspired dream is a wonderful thing, but it only becomes reality when we are willing to sweat, to learn, to adapt, all parts of the process of becoming!
Paul teaches us to live with purpose. “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.” (1 Corinthians 9)
Have you prayed for real vision, asking God to give you a glimpse of what He can do in your life, through your service, which will lead you to joy?
Have you committed yourself to Him, letting Him form a God-shaped vision, not for just more money, happiness, or temporal success, but for a life that has eternal purpose?
The ancient
preacher, Habakkuk, received a vision from God. Listen to the counsel about that
vision. “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets … For the
vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it
tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
Refine your dream. Write it down. Pray over them for clarity asking God, the Spirit, to make it clear. Seek godly counsel, then commit to the work of living God’s best life, planned for you.
This is not just a plan for some ‘super-saints.’ God invites each one of us to live by the Spirit, gifted in the unique way He plans, so that we will find His rich commendation as we enter the Father’s house for eternity.
The word from the Word encourages me, I pray it does you, as
well.
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and
someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one
can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If
anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay
or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring
it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality
of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will
receive a reward.” (1 Corinthians 3)
Lord, help us to be faithful to Your work, for Christ’s glory. Amen
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