Are We There Yet?

You remember the story of the tortoise and the hair. We learned that sure and steady will win the race. Sometimes we just want to jump ahead and skip all the necessary steps to get to our destination. The steps seem so slow. How much longer until we get there. Are we there yet?

The Bible tells us that one of the fruits of the spirit is "patience." "We develop a willingness to stick with things," is how it says it in Gal 5:22 in the Message Bible. That is a great definition. You have to develop this by going through some things. Patience has to be tested. Otherwise how do we know if we have developed it yet?

We have to 'will' our way through the drudgery and the monotony that we sometimes feel. But, even though the spirit is willing, often the 'flesh' is weak. You know the drill. Up early, rush to get ready for work, drive too long in too much traffic, work too long, drive home in bumper to bumper in stop and go, prepare food, clean up, catch some news, help the kids with homework, talk on the phone, prepare for bed, go to bed too late -- then do it all again.

So, how do we make it through. Well we have to have a Godly goal. Something we are shooting for. Maybe it is spiritual growth. Maybe it is seeing our kids be all they can be for God. Maybe it is being a blessing to others. You have to have Godly goals. You have to have something that makes it all worth while, so that you can develop, with God's help, "a willingness to stick with things." Because the end result is worth it. And of course you need to smell the roses along the way. Let God infuse you with sweet aroma as you wait on His strength and keep the vision of what it is all about before you. Stick with it! It is worth it.