Day 28: It Takes Time

Good things come to those who wait, but I want it now! Everything takes time; I've spent the last 37 years learning to be John. Unfortunately, I was learning from the World. The world is very happy with the John I have become. The world hates that I am trying to relearn how to be John. If I want to be the John that God wants me to be, I've got to throw out about 90% of what I've learned. I'm sure you've heard that it took God one night to get the Israelites out of Egypt and 40 years to get Egypt out of the Israelites.

God is not in a hurry. EVER. I'm impatient. I want to get to the finish line, God wants to makes sure that I finish strong. He could, if he wanted to, transform me over night. If he did, I wouldn't be able to help anyone else. I wouldn't be able to tell them anything about my journey, "I prayed one night, and when I woke up, I was a new man. I didn't have to do anything."

Fortunately, that's not how it works. I know that God's way is the harder way, but I wouldn't want it any other way. I've mentioned several times being able to help people by being able to relate to them. Jesus came to earth and walked a mile in my shoes, He didn't have to, He wanted to. And He could have come onto the scene at 30 years old skipped diapers, nursing, learning to walk and talk, puberty, etc. But He didn't.

God knows that I am a slow learner. He knows that if He gave me everything I needed to know to become like Christ all at once, that my head would probably explode. Just like when I was learning to eat, I had milk before solid food, and had to be spoon fed before I could feed myself, becoming like Christ takes time. I am to a point where I can feed myself, but I still have a sweet tooth for sin. It makes for an unhealthy Spirit.

God is slowly weaning me off of those sweets. Some things I have been doing for 20 years or more. And like I talked about yesterday, I can't just will them to stop. God took a foothold in my life a few short years ago, and hasn't stopped working in me since. Somethings were easier to let go of than others. But some things I have stubbornly held on to, I'm afraid to admit them, I think if I give up this part of me who will I be. Some things make up who I am, and even though I know they don't fit with God's plan for me, I'm still reluctant to stop because I worry about what people will think.

In a world of Instant Messaging, sometimes it's hard to wait on God. I get impatient with the failures. I think I'm over a bad habit, and then it sneaks up on me again. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just gonna keep slipping into the cussing sailor that I was 15 years ago whenever things go bad. I wonder if I'll ever get a hold on my anger issues or if they will coming up whenever I get stressed out. I know that God is working in me, and each time something like cussing, or getting angry comes up, it's a way for me to please God by doing the opposite of what I normally do. One of my Pastors said it took him a year to stop swearing, and another year to stop thinking them. I'm not alone in this struggle.

From a Jail in Rome, Paul wrote to encourage the Church in Philippi.

God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.
Phil 1:6(NCV)

Today's question is In what area of my spiritual life do I need to be more patient and persistent? I need to work on not getting so angry at myself when I stumble. And to share more of my thoughts with those who love me instead of keeping everything inside.

Remember: There are no shortcuts to maturity