We all live in an “instant” society. Instant breakfast… microwaved dinners. If email is too slow, just IM or text. Most of us wouldn’t be able to tolerate the slow speed of a dial-up Internet connection any more (if you even remember those days!). 3G is too slow for all we want to do on our smart phones—we need 4G. If the speed limit is 75, most of us will be going 79. Chances are, if this blog is too long, you won’t read it! We’re all in a big hurry.
In contrast to going through life in a hurry, God talks about endurance.
“You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” Hebrews 10:36.
Webster¹ uses the example of a marathon runner having endurance. It defines endurance as:
“the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially: the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity.”
The point is time. God is in no hurry. His perspective is eternal, and I believe He wants our perspective to become eternal as well. Often He accomplishes His purposes through the difficult things that seem to go on and on.
When we trust God day after day, when nothing seems to change; when we learn through hardship that He is faithful and can be trusted, we are doing the will of God. And what is this promise Hebrews says we receive? A deeper, richer, more vibrant, more real relationship with the God of all eternity.
So I challenge you today, to slow down, to let God speak to you, to listen, to trust, and to endure. God is in this with you for the long haul.
findinghopeandhealing 