We can be so impatient, can't we? We want everything now. And in this day and age, the technological advancements of our society can make us feel like the world truly is at our fingertips. Think about it. We can communicate globally in real time. We've got web cams, instant messaging, internet radio, social networks and numerous other media to help us transfer information at lightning fast speed.
This fosters a certain mindset in us...one that can prove very destructive if it gets out of balance.
If we're not careful, we'll find ourselves sucked into an endless routine of being busy, busy, busy and ultimately, sapped of our energy. Essentially, we'll be caught up in our very own rat race facilitated by technology and social media.
For a moment, envision a rat race. Picture the futile efforts of a lab rat trying to desperately escape, by running around in a never-ending maze or inside of a spinning wheel. Though the rat is running, ultimately, no progress is being made. Nothing is being achieved.
Here's another example. Consider for a moment that impatient driver--possibly you--that speeds around other cars, trying to get to their destination more quickly. They dip in and out of lanes, shouting at slow drivers and frantically blowing their horn, only to end up at the same red light with all those they desperately attempted to pass along the way.
In the end, they are no further along than the "slow" drivers. The impatient driver still arrives at the same place, at the same time...only with less gas.
Listen. Nothing happens overnight. Things take time to come together and that's OK. It's perfectly normal. There's no need to get worked up over it. Sadly, many folks get so discouraged while in pursuit of purpose. They want all of their dreams to come true right away.
But that's not realistic.
I admonish you today not to get sucked into the world's rat race and find yourself trying to have too much, too soon. Instead of being overly anxious, pace yourself. Do the right things consistently, develop healthy habits, and trust God to grow what you have planted and watered.
As you're reading this, if you know you've been impatient and preoccupied with making things happen right away, take a moment to pause. Reevaluate your mindset. Ask yourself, "Where is this pressure to have it all right now coming from?" Then, pray and ask God to reveal the answers. He'll help you if you go to Him.
Now, I don't want you to go away with the wrong idea about this post, so let me qualify it. I'm not encouraging indolence. I'm certainly not attempting to discourage you from pursuing those dreams and visions God has placed in your heart. And I'm absolutely not proposing that you stop working hard and being disciplined in your pursuits.
Not at all. I believe in putting your faith to work through practical application. The Bible instructs us to consider the diligence, discipline, and dedication of ants as models for how we should conduct ourselves in relation to our work. (Proverbs 6:6-11)
This is about one thing, ending the rat race that causes us to be incessantly occupied and hopelessly obsessed with the acquisition of temporal things. The rat race tears up lives. It severs families. It destroys finances. It raises stress levels. It undermines faith. It causes disease and dis-ease, both mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
And nothing is worth that. At this moment, I'm attempting to get you to see that you need to relax and let things take their course. Stop rushing and starting resting... in God, that is. Tell yourself that, slow progress isn't the same as no progress; although, sometimes, it can sure feel that way.
Please believe me, I know it can be easy to feel dissatisfied and discontent with where you are right now, but just be patient.
Just because you don't feel like you're making much headway in a particular area, doesn't denote stagnancy.
God is teaching you some things. He's refining you so you can go to the next level in Him. Even though you might feel a bit frustrated with the pace of your progress, you have to know that progress is still being made. You're learning new things. Your character is being developed. Your mentality is being altered.
So, hold your head up today.
Know that, wherever you may be in your life during this season, God yet has greater things in store for you. Only trust and believe.
Finally, instead of being sucked into the rat race, remember this: "The race is not given to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but to the one that endures to the end."
As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com
