Around this time of year, especially this time of year, we look in the mirror and are often disappointed in what we see. “I could really lose 10, 20, 50 pounds or so, then I would be happy!” So we hit the gym, buy some running shoes, or order that awesome workout video that will change your life in 30 days! What we really want is quick results. We want to see the results, we want to wear the results. “Wow I dropped 3 dress sizes!” or “Wow, I can fit into my old slacks!” In addition we eat bland tasting food or little food at all and fight the beast known as hunger. After a week or two we get frustrated, we missed some work outs, over ate one day, and the scale seems to be stuck. So what do we do? Most of the time we give up. We want change now! And anybody who has tried and failed and tried and failed realize that change can happen but it happens over time, discipline, and a lot of grace.
Its a lot like our relationship with Christ. We look in the mirror and notice we aren’t the man or woman we wish we were. We have some of the same bad habits, same faults, same baggage we have been carrying around for a while. We often get frustrated because we try a little of prayer, a little bit of giving, or maybe even volunteer a little bit, and yet sometimes we see very little if any change. And sometimes we feel like quitting. “Forget this religion stuff!” We are so used to instant results that we forget that God is not on our schedule. Oswald Chambers said,
“...He explains things to us as we are able to understand them. The lives of others are examples for us, but God requires us to examine our own souls. It is slow work— so slow that it takes God all of time and eternity to make a man or woman conform to His purpose. We can only be used by God after we allow Him to show us the deep, hidden areas of our own character. (Jan. 12)”
So let us also remember what the writer of Hebrews said (10:22-25, 32-37), “22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,
“In just a little while,
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”
