…until we all reach…the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature…until we all reach…the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants… Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become…the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:13-15 (NIV)
The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Luke 2:40 (NASB)
Recently, I visited my darling eight-month-old granddaughter. She’s growing up so fast. How quickly she learns! First, she smiled. Then she sat up. Later she rolled. Now she’s crawling. She cooed when my son and I sang on our early morning walks. Do I want her to be grown up tomorrow? No. It’s fun to see each stage—every baby step.
While I have patience with my granddaughter—not expecting her to be grown up in a day—I’m not always so patient with myself. I want to have it all figured out and be fully mature…yesterday! Sometimes my eyes stray from Jesus. A harsh word leaves my mouth. A desire to control others continues. Why can’t I mature faster? Be more loving and respectful—all the time? Less anxious? Be healed from past hurts? Why does it take so long?
I often thought waiting was wasting time. Then I read Henri Nouwen who said, “Waiting, then, is not passive.” (Eternal Seasons, p. 38) Waiting is sitting before the Father with expectation—listening, receiving His embrace, hearing the truth, bathing in His love, and becoming rooted in my identity as His precious daughter. What could be more important than this?
Prayer:
Father, when I feel pressure to get things done, contribute more to Your Kingdom, or accomplish more—yet I’m stymied by my weaknesses, held back by the jealously of others, or it simply isn’t my time to be doing something—give me patience to wait for Your timing. Help me to sit and listen. Give me Your perspective. Hold my hand and let me be with You. Forgive me for rushing into things to which You did not call or direct me. Forgive me for my impatience with Your timing. Please show me what You are doing now in me so I can rest in Your arms and gaze at You. Amen.
Written December 12, 2014