“Be diligent . . so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15 NIV
All real progress results from a sound process.
My thoughts and comments today are about “process and progress.”
Sometimes, hurry results in some things – even important things – getting overlooked while other things do not get done at all, minimizing things that were done. Spiritual growth and character development are things that do not happen in a hurry. The same God who stood in the midst of chaos and nothingness and simply commanded, “Let there be . . and there was,” (See Genesis 1) has wisely chosen that His significant work in your heart and life results from a specific, individualized process – rarely immediate, seldom easy, but accomplishing visible progress.
The result is not questionable for God. “I am God . . declaring the end from the beginning.” Isaiah 46:10 NKJV. For your benefit, He is committed to your journey from where you are to where you are going, from what you were to what you are becoming. I admit I am a “point A to point B kind of guy.” I get fixed on a destination and am eager to get there. In a hurry, I have missed a lot of scenery and memories along the way; without my wife, I might have missed a lot more.
As a younger parent, I foolishly assumed that parenting was just doing whatever was necessary whenever it was necessary. Fortunately for our family, Gayle was wiser and more farsighted; she understood that parenting is a process requiring love, forgiveness, attention, effort, instruction, correction, and especially time. My understanding of parenting changed when she said, “I am not just raising children; I am training children to be responsible, Godly adults.” In noticeable and measurable ways, our children and grandchildren’s progress is the fruit of her wise and Godly process.
Nature teaches this principle of process and progress, “The Kingdom of God is like . . planted seeds in a field . . first a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens.” See Mark 4:26-29 NLT. That’s also how the Holy Spirit works in your life, however much you might wish it to be different. What’s your rush? Be patient. When you rush the process you diminish spiritual growth; others will see activity but it won’t be progress.
God invests Himself in your journey as well as your destination. Your destiny is firmly set in grace. His expectation of your cooperation is clear, “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15 NIV. Some measure of your achievement of God’s intention for your spiritual growth rests with your cooperation, or lack thereof.
God’s objective is clear; “Until we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13 NKJV. Growth comes while God perfects your weaknesses, builds your character, develops your gifts, and prevents your mistakes from wrongly affecting others. God’s process may not be evident to others but your progress will be. “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NKJV.
My prayer for you this day is: be persuaded of progress and patient with the process.