Our lives are full of convenience.
In the realm of eating, we grab quick bites and we want fast service. We expect what we want when we want it. We don’t bother to think about how food sources need time to grow, meals need time for preparation, and servers need time for training.
We are quick to forget the behind-the-scenes work.
Our quick-fix mindset seeps into many aspects of our lives – and often leaves us in want.
We expect good behavior from children even if we haven’t invested in modeling and teaching it. We expect good outcomes for ourselves even if we haven’t invested enough effort in the endeavor. We expect good relationships to exist even if we haven’t invested time to grow them.
The most important investment of time is with our creator and savior. God desires that we seek him and connect with him (Acts 17:27). The broken relationship that sin causes between the created and the creator was not mended by a quick fix. To remedy this, Jesus endured much – as he lived among people, prepared for crucifixion, hung on the cross, and took our sin before resurrecting. It came at great cost.
Our relationship with God takes tending to, as with any valuable relationship. We grow closer to him as we abide in him. As we learn and apply his truths, the Holy Spirit works in our heart and mind. Have you experienced how this ushers in a heart of praise? Have you meditated on how great he is and how much he loves you? Have you felt a longing to be in his presence?
We often live in the fullness of doings and distractions, rather than in the fullness of Christ.
This fast-paced mindset may cause us to forget that there is not a quick fix for discontentedness. Seeking peace – contentedness – necessitates setting aside the mental busyness in order to focus on what and who is most important. Small steps toward this, one by one, can lead us into a setting of peace. As our strides lengthen with Jesus leading us and going with us, we will experience his peace (John 14:23-27).
We put this into practice as we submit to God by the help of the Holy Spirit. God is patient as we grow in faithful obedience to do his good will. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 ESV). We will reap a harvest of righteousness, James 3:18 tells us, when we sow in peace. In faith, Jesus meets every need of our soul and he fill us with his peace.
Nourishing our soul with God’s truths takes time – time to learn and time to grow as we exercise our faith.
The blessings are found not in a quick fix, but in the faithful pursuit of Jesus.
Encourage this faithful pursuit in the next generation when you use a Do LAPS! book with your children. Go deeper on your own by pairing it with a BRAN journal!