Tag Archives: Process

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 1 Kings 7

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Toms bass It took Solomon another thirteen years to finish building his own palace complex. 1 Kings 7:1 (MSG)

We live in such an instant society. We want gratification immediately. Our computers are never fast enough, and we complain when a page takes a few extra seconds. We pay extra to have our purchases delivered over night so we don't have to wait a few more days. We have microwaves to make prepared dishes so we don't have to take the time to actually cook something from scratch.

Perhaps that's why the beginning of today's chapter jumped off the page at me. It took seven years for Solomon's army of laborers to complete the temple and another thirteen years to build his own palace complex. That's a long time. In today's standards of construction, it was an eternity.

The truth is that some things do take time. My brother, the luthier, says that it takes in the neighborhood of 200 man hours to craft a guitar by hand, not counting the additional time that the guitar must sit at different places in the process. You don't take shortcuts. There are no microwave ovens for the process. It takes what it takes.

The same is true for maturity. When it comes to being a disciple of Jesus there is no "add water and stir." There is no Star Trek transporter to beam us instantly to a spot on the horizon. God is not making us into a microwaveable pot roast, he's crafting us into a finely tuned instrument. We must each press on and walk our own journey. It takes what it takes.

So, I'm lacing up my walking shoes. Today is another leg in the journey. There's a long way to go.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 39

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That completed the work of The Dwelling, the Tent of Meeting. The People of Israel did what God had commanded Moses. They did it all. Exodus 39:32 (MSG)

There is something satisfying about bringing a project to completion. It is gratifying to finish what you started and to know that you successfully crossed the finish line. I look around my office and my house and I see projects I have completed and projects that sit where I dropped them. There are other projects (like cleaning) that are perpetually and agonizingly unfinished.

I'm glad God promises to finish what He started, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6).

Today, I take heart that God isn't finished with me yet, and He promises to complete the task.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Exodus 6

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Superhero not. God addressed Moses, saying, "I am God. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything I say to you." And Moses answered, "Look at me. I stutter. Why would Pharaoh listen to me?" Exodus 6:29-30 (MSG)

If find it interesting that Moses has been unpacking his whole "I stutter" excuse for three chapters running (who knows how many months or years these chapters cover). It's a great picture of how doggedly we like to cling to our hang ups, insecurities, issues and excuses. 

Growth doesn't always happen overnight. Despite our fantasies to the contrary, God does not typically transform people instantaneously in to spiritual superheroes. We don't get bit by a supernatural spider and suddenly become Godly-man. Even the "superheroes" wie think of in the Bible were transformed over time (and the maturity process never stopped). We see Moses "in process" through these early chapters of Exodus, but there are others.

David killed Goliath in an instant, but how many years did he spend alone in the desert with his sheep, learning to use his sling against predators? Saul had a "Damascus Road" experience, but we forget about the years he spent studying and growing before his ministry started. The apostles stood boldly in the face of persecution, but before that they spent three years scratching their heads, fighting amonst themselves, and even denying that they even knew Jesus.

Like any journey, there are times we'd much rather just "arrive" at the destination. However, even those we consider spiritual giants had to grow into their sandals.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and ortizmj12

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Psalm 139

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The action list is full. Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life. Psalm 139:23-24 (MSG)

Yesterday and today I'm attending a leadership conference. I posted a tweet at the morning break stating that the conference was only 25 percent over and my action list was now 125 percent full (btw, you can find me on Twitter: tomvanderwell). As I sat there through the session yesterday my pen was a blur of thoughts, ideas and things I was learning. To be honest, most of what I was learning was how far I have yet to grow as a leader in every area of my life. I felt like God did exactly what the verses above describe. He placed a huge magnifying glass over my heart and let me take a peek. I got a clear picture of what I'm about and I didn't like everything I saw.

I'm tired this morning. My wife and sat up late into the night discussing what I'd learned yesterday and determining some things I need to do differently. There were even some things she agree she needed to join with me in changing in her own walk. It made for a short night, but I think we'll look back and see that it was a worthwhile investment of our time.

Yesterday's chapter, Psalm 138, reminded me that God wasn't through with me. Today's chapter reminds me that God isn't the only agent involved in the process. God may help me examine where I've wandered on the path behind me, but I've got the responsibility to take that information and let Him change me, so that I can walk differently on the road ahead.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and brianandmia