Greetings in the name of “The Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4), Jesus Christ – THE Crucified and Risen Saviour! What a beautiful morning in the Kingdom . This, too, is the day that the Lord has made for us to enjoy, so we will be glad and find joy in all sorts of places! I will be praying for you today, asking Father to let you see and hear all that is available to you this day.
A devotional letter came yesterday and it tells of a pastor returning from a mission trip to Brazil. He was asked, by colleagues what he had learned, what insights could he share with them. His answer: “God’s ways are slow…and hard.” – Pete Scazzero.He then referenced the parable that Jesus taught about the mustard seed and the growing seed – Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:26-29…’small seed, growth process, slowly developing into large plant, eventually a tree, bearing seeds that can planted so the process continues’ – just the way it is supposed to be.
I want God to work quickly. I want instant results. I do not want to wait. I want…I want…I want! In one of the books of wisdom in the Bible we read: “This is all that I have learned.: God made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated.” Ecclesiastes 7:29 GNT. So, when I say: “I want” – God says: “Okay, I can do that in just a moment.” I really don’t like it when he says – “in just a moment.” God’s moments can be very, very long…as he allows a seed to grow! Yet, the end result is solid, productive, and affecting many others. I can agree – “God’s ways are slow…and hard.”
This principle of spiritual growth is well-established and I am reminded of instructions given to kings that say:“…The scroll (God’s word -the Bible -is to remain at his side at all times; he is to study it every day so that he may learn to fear his GOD, living in reverent obedience before these rules and regulations by following them…If he reads and learns, he will have a long reign as king in Israel, he and his sons.” Deuteronomy 17:19- 20 The Message. The spiritual growth of a king affects his sons…slow and hard. MY, your, spiritual growth is affecting others…slow and hard. A quote from a recent ministry update says: “A healthy, growing church (corporately and individually) – will be a Bible reading church.” Donald MacGavran. Through the word of God a seed is planted…a seed of ministry, a seed of giftedness, a seed of leadership, a seed of potential, a seed of hope, a seed of vision…and it has to grow – “slow…and hard.” I (we) must not complicate the simple.
Be blessed!