Process vs. Product

Most times I wish God would just transform us right away. But instead He makes it a gradual process. 

When telling me their stories, friends of mine have often said, "The Lord was so gentle with me." And it is so true. He is so patient, and He has been gentle with me, too. I think most of us would agree in saying that we want God to just zap us to perfection, make a snap of His fingers and change us into someone we like completely - someone who acts better in this social situation, someone with different personality traits - someone, in our minds, without flaws. 

But I digress: He is so gentle, and patient. Rather than snapping His fingers to shoot us to the finished product, He enjoys the process. It's not like the Matrix; where you can just download into your brain that habit that you need. God doesn't work like that. Instead, because He just takes delight in being with you, touching you, talking to you... He'll take your hand in his and trace it along the way it's supposed to go. (I used to like to trace my hands along the lines of a painting on a wall. I think it's like that.) "See? This is how it's done. Pay attention - I want you to learn how to do this." 

And He is patient - oh, he is so patient in the process. He does not care how many dirty diapers He changes before you learn to be potty trained. He would suffer through countless wrecked cars and garage doors to help you learn to drive. I think He rather enjoys it, actually. He just wants to spend time with you, teach you this skill. Unlike our brains, to Daddy the mess ups don't matter, don't even count enough for a second thought. But each mistake is a step toward you learning how to work this skill better. Each crack in the windshield is worth it, because you're learning. Youre on your way to getting there. He is more concerned about the process than the final product.

Why?

Because He wants you to be able to look back and see how far you've come. He wants you to take pride in knowing that you worked hard, and you did it! You stumbled a few times, but you got back up. You fought discouragement and despare from the enemy, but you learned to combat it. This was a skill you had to depend on Him for; but He was faithful to be there for you, and because of it you won that battle. You now know the pain and hardship, discipline and determination it took to get to where you are. You know the long, tedious process; you know the fear and despair that came over you, tried to take you down. You also remember how He covered you with His wings, and in those times of attack you felt Him the closest. 

He wants you to remember all of this.

Because one day, you're going to meet someone who is on the very same path that you once walked. They are in the middle of the process - they'll see you at the end of it, and want to know how you got there. They want to know that there is hope. So remember well. Remember the skills and disciplines you had to use in every step of the process. Remember the lost battles; the times the enemy threw you so hard that you thought you would never make it through. Remember the victories; the days that you cut the head off of your giants. Remember how The Lord covered you. Remember His tenderness. Remember how sweetly He spoke your name as He took your hand, lifted you up, and pulled you in close.

And tell them. Tell them everything. Tell them of the hope and the Glory that has no match, that awaits them at the end of their journey. Tell them that it is hard, but it is so worth it all.

Tell them not to get too impatient, enjoy the precious time with their Maker in this process. Enjoy the journey.