The Way to God

Wanna get rich quick? Lose weight overnight? Meet the right person to marry? Turn on almost any cable channel late at night and you can find any number of ways to meet all your goals in a hurry! Oh, if only it were so!

The problem is that such schemes rarely work because all of those things take time and effort. They don't happen on their own.

I have been struck in the last few days by how much...and how little...my grandson has changed since I last saw him on October 26. He has grown 2" and gained almost 5 pounds. He is holding his head up better. He's eating more at each feeding and sleeping for longer periods of time. He is more aware and alert, and has learned to smile and giggle.

But he can't feed himself. He still wears diapers. We have to bathe him. And despite our best efforts, we haven't taught him to speak actual words yet! Although I'm sure that he will be spelling "encyclopedia" before too long.

Growth for babies takes time and a great deal of effort. There's trial and error involved. And parents don't give up when babies don't learn something new immediately.

Similarly, our relationship with God doesn't happen on its own either. Matthew tells us in chapter 7, verses 13-14, "Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life--to God!--is vigorous and requires total attention." 

Our relationship with God takes time and commitment. It takes a willingness to listen and learn. It requires an openness of heart that doesn't develop overnight. And thankfully, our Father doesn't give up on us either. He is slow to anger and abounding in love. He wants to see us succeed. He can't wait for us to grow into the people He wants us to be.

He also doesn't leave us to our own devices to learn all on our own. He's perfectly willing to teach, guide and correct us when necessary. Growth for Christians takes time and a great deal of effort.

But the end result is so worth it.

- Holly Barrett