Following God is often a Long Hard Process
Several months ago the pastor of our Mother Church, Brian Bloye, talked a lot about something that Bill Hybels taught at his last conference; pastors must deal with process. The thing is, us A personality types, you know the “lions” or whatever, are the type of people that want something done yesterday. We don’t want to walk through a process because obviously processes are for slow sissies (not). We tend to like Bible stories like Moses taking God’s people through the Red Sea. Not much process there; insert staff into water, water parts (a short process when you think about it), the people walk through the coolest aquarium exhibit in history, and they are safe. Simple, quick, effective, I like it.
In this same mentality us “cholerics” (type A) don’t really like those stories about long processes, like the Hebrews wandering in the wilderness for 40 years and Joseph’s rise from the pit to Pharaoh’s right hand man. But, the truth of the Bible and of our experience tells us that following God is often a very long and difficult process. This is my life at the moment, running as hard as I can for as long as I can every day just trying to keep up with everything. I’m in a season of hard process, but ultimately it will be a season of great progress for myself and for our church.
I was really reminded about all of this when I read Deuteronomy 2:30-31 the other day,
But Sihon the king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him, for the Lord your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might give him into your hand, as he is this day. And the Lord said to me, ‘Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land over to you. Begin to take possession, that you may occupy his land.’ -(ESV)
The words that struck me were “begun” and “begin”. God (in this case) didn’t just hand over the land instantly, but with a process. God began to give them the land and they had to faithfully begin to take it. This resonates with me because we are beginning a church that God has begun to build. Its a tough process right now, but I know it will blossom into something beautiful.
So, I guess understanding it is a process is a huge step for a guy like me. The next step is having the faithful patience to see it through. God does the beginning on our behalf, but we have to have the faithful obedience to step into it, and the faithful patience to see it through. This isn’t easy. In fact, for me, it’s the hardest thing I have ever done. But, following God in this way, through this process, has been glorious and will do nothing but bring more honor and glory to Him. And that is a beautiful thing.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:34 am
What is often found in the people who lead is that the real construction is not on the task given but the construction of their heart. (I.E. David, Joseph, Moses, Paul, etc.)
When we stand before God the only building that gets inspected by the Head Contracter is our heart. It is most important that our heart be ready as it is for the sake of others.
Healthy plants seed healthy plants. Sick, weak plants seed sick, weak plants.
I’m loving the transition going on in your heart and how God is using the mundane, insanity to truly polish and chip away Adam’s image into one that reflects His face!
Keep going!