Perhaps the pace we recoil at the most is the slowness of the molding of our character.
In Christianese, we call it “sanctification,” or the process of becoming like Christ.
I guess if I were God (some have told me I’m not), I would want my children to become like me. In essence, that is the meaning of life. It’s funny that many people on the planet will be on a wild goose chase in search for their essence. Would you mind helping me get this writing out to them to save them a lot of time and heartache?
Getting back to the pace of sanctification…
If there was one thing I could speed up, it would be the pace of becoming like Jesus. However, that would be like having the space shuttle reenter the atmosphere at too high of a speed. I wouldn’t be able to stand the pressure that the Holy Spirit would have to put upon me in order to quicken the process.
Where does that leave me? Whenever I get impatient with myself over this issue (e.g. making the same mistakes, maintaining repetitive negative thinking cycles, etc.), I realize that this is a very clever thing that God is doing in the very thing I’m struggling about: He is contrasting His patience with me against my impatience with myself and by de facto, with Him!
Oh, the joy of being outsmarted by God!
PORTAL TO HEAVEN: If it took the disciples a lifetime, it just may be the same for me, me thinks. This portal is a beautiful opening to heaven because it reminds us that God is patiently and lovingly creating something of Himself in us - like a sculptor that takes his time for his ultimate masterpiece or a gardener who carefully designs and selects only his best or a chef whose hints of his greatest dish are preceded by its aroma.
My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God…power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; for You render to each one according to his work…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling…
Psalm 62:5,6,7,11a,12 NKJV, Philippians 2:12 NIV