Life is all about the next phase. In a way, it has become a race to invade new experiences. I can’t help but ask myself, have we become forward-thinkers or fast-forwarders?
It’s funny to think about memories that are more vivid than others. I can recall certain desires I had even before grade school.
My sister, Lisa, is two years older than me. When she first started attending elementary school I grew jealous that she was able to ride a school bus. I used to follow her down to the end of driveway in the morning to get a closer look at the extraordinarily large piece of machinery. There was so much for my eyes to explore!
With each encounter my eyes grew more fascinated with the screws that “held the bus together” on each side, the big, bright, red lights that would flash as the bus came to a stop, the magical door that folded into two halves; I’d even trace the letters on the side of the bus with my fingers in the air. My heart’s strongest desire, however, lay in climbing the stairs. I would watch as the bus pulled up, observing each step she took to reach the top. If I could just fast-forward to Kindergarten, I’d have the opportunity to climb those steps, too!
Eventually, my time came to climb those steps; And eventually, I grew tired of climbing those steps.
It didn’t take long before I wished to ride my bike rather than take the bus. In middle school I wanted to walk; in high school I wanted to drive.
Has this become a pattern in our lives? Don’t we find ourselves inevitably wanting to fast-forward to the “next best thing”? We grow comfortable longing for experiences we don’t currently have, but hope to become familiar with in the future; And with this comes the lie of tomorrow.
We grow comfortable believing God will provide a tomorrow for us. We believe tomorrow will grant us an opportunity to achieve our heart’s desires.
How often do you slow down to appreciate what God is doing in your life today?
Bear with me for a moment because I want to drive this even further. Since I’ve been in Africa my mind continuously resorts to two thoughts:
- When will I meet my next financial deadline?
- When will I reach my full spiritual maturity?
In the midst of these unanswered questions God is calling me to rely on Him as I learn to trust that the plans He has for me are truly to prosper me, even if it looks different than I picture, and takes longer than I would like.
There is potential that I won’t meet my next financial deadline. There is also a possibility that I won’t live long enough to reach my idea of full spiritual maturity, but while I am in the process of this phase of my life I want to bask in what He has for me. I want to further my trust in Him, understanding that all I have to do is trust.
After all, if I knew the answers to these questions where would my dependence be?
“Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” – Ephesians 5:15-17
As God begins to walk me through this process, my desire is to know, and understand, what His will is for me, daily. I challenge you to do the same; To pause, to be still, and to remain in Him as he reveals the desires He has for you to fulfill with each new day.
———————————————————————————————————————–
My next deadline is December 1st and I am still in need of $3,953. Please pray that God will continue to provide. If you feel led to donate you may click here. Thank you for your continued support! Love to you.
