Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:14-15 NIV
Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, 3 for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete. James 1:2-4 TLB
Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. Hebrews 5:14 NLT
The teaching I gave you was like milk, not solid food, because you were not able to take solid food. And even now you are not ready. 1 Corinthians 3:2 NCV
Wouldn’t it be great if we could just “know” what to do, when to do it, and how to do it, as needed? That would allow for us to escape the hard work of having to learn new information, right? Who wouldn’t want that instantaneous download?
However, in His mercy, GOD doesn’t allow for that download because we are incapable of handling the responsibility that accompanies it. Let that sink in for a moment.
We’ve grown into a culture that lives with an unspoken entitlement that believes we should not have to wait. It’s completely normal for us to expect that every dwelling place contain a microwave (or something similar) for our instant meal gratification. Perish the thought that we would be asked to wait beyond 3 minutes!
Some of us can vividly remember having to wait for the popcorn to erupt from the foil wrapper as we violently and expectantly shook the little wire handle that was attached to the aluminum bowl. Standing over the burner at the stove, hearing the voices of those eager waiting shouting, “Is it ready yet?!” (I know I just dated myself, but I couldn’t resist.)
Perhaps you can recall catalogue shopping. The major department stores would publish semi-annual catalogues (these were three-inch thick, eight by eleven inches pages; resembled the telephone book) that you could “shop” through and place your order either by phone or written requests. And then you had to … wait several weeks for your treasured items to arrive at your doorstep. Hopefully, everything would be the correct size and dimensions, otherwise, the return or exchange would require the same amount of turnaround time.
In today’s world, the instant gratification has poured over into every facet of our lives, including our spiritual development.
Through this very transparent conversation, this small circle of women speak from their experiences of having similar feelings of the tension and the angst of living through their seasons of growth with GOD. Lessons learned give us the hope of surviving tomorrow with that same faithful GOD when similar or more challenging situations arise.
Join me for a break in the day to soak in the godly wisdom that each woman has to offer, as a result of having surrendered to GOD and the process that He had for them in their seasons of life. (Be mindful that each of them also had to grow into the persons they’ve become, and it often came at a cost beyond time itself.)
I’m confident that you’ll be encouraged to keep going and growing with a better perspective on growth and development.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
*Thank you to Lisa Harper | Joyce Meyer Ministries | Talk it Out Podcast for this.
Titus Two 