Devitional/Discussion thought of the Day:

“The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. “Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NASB77) 

“Say slowly and in all earnestness: Nunc coepi—now I begin! Don’t get discouraged if, unfortunately, you don’t see any great change in yourself brought about by the Lord’s right hand… From your lowliness you can cry out: Help me, my Jesus, because I want to fulfil Your Will… Your most lovable Will!”  (1)

It is amazing how God can use the simplest of things to create lessons for us.  For the last week, I have been putting eye drops – more like a gel in my eyes to counteract the effects of a eye infection.  I push the kell through a tube and into my eye, and then wait.. I never knew how long three minutes could be.  Then 10 minutes later – another eye drop and more time waiting, eyes closed.  Five times a day.. I repeat this – and now, 8 days later, my eye is a little less affected by light.

Change can take forever, especially when it is for the good.

Thirty years ago, we became a culture that sped up.  Things like microwaves and cordless phones and the first remotes for our 13 channel televisions came out. And patience as a virtue became ever more rare, and ever more valuable. Back then – being connected to the internet (remember Prodigy) meant you could communicate online and the speed of 2 letters a second…with a good connection!   Now with Smart Phones and testing  with wireless routers and all the other changes, our attention spans and our patience is even more…. rare.  ( sit at Jack and the Box drive-thru for 4 minutes with a five year old if you want to see what I mean!)

Change is needed in our lives, but not often the kind of transformation we think.  The kind that is spoken of in Romans 12 – the transformation of our minds  This is known another way as well – the churchy word “repentance”.  Scripture talks often of that change – as we are transformed into the image of Christ – the work that God does in our lives and the lives of those around us.

But sometimes, this transformation is very slow in appearing.  In fact – it will not be fully revealed until Christ’s return.  (see last Sunday’s sermon blog)  The challenge is not to look at ourselves – not to grow in despari – but to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, cry out to Him, meditate on His love and sacrifice.   You may not see the difference, but others will!  And take this thought in closing…. it is not you that completes the work  – look to Him and keep looking…

“I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)  

Escriva, Josemaria (2011-01-31). The Forge (Kindle Locations 1550-1553). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.