One of the lessons I have learned over my life, is that there are mysteries that I shall not understand this side of heaven.
I have made my peace with that. My brain is far too small, and so is my heart.
One such mystery to me, is why in things of God, some things appear instant, and some are, well, to my mind, far too slow in appearing!
For instance, (coincidentally) why are some people healed instantly and some over a period of time, or not on earth at all?
Why are some prayers answered in an instant and some we do not see an answer to?
What I have accepted is that God’s ways are higher than my ways; that He knows the bigger picture; that His thoughts and priorities are higher, and more perfect, than mine.
But some things of God ARE INSTANT.
Salvation – If I open my heart up to God, believe that Jesus died for my sins, accept Him as my Lord and Saviour – then I am instantly ‘born again’ and Father, Son and Spirit come to live in me.
Do I then look and sound like Jesus? For most of us, NO.
Though some of us, with major wounds, may receive instant transformation and miracles, for most of us, our personality and growth as Christians, our sanctification if you like, it is a process that takes the rest of our lives, growing in one degree of glory to another.
Maybe this continues in heaven too.
Personally I have learned to be grateful for this, for whilst I would love to be instantly healed of my personal issues, childhood wounds, sinful tendencies etc, I know that whilst I am weak and humbly acknowledge my need for God in all things, I cannot fall into pride of thinking that I have it all sussed and can do anything without God.
My weakness and need keep me close to Jesus’ side and in relationship with Him constantly.
By myself I can do no good thing of Kingdom value.
One thing that blows my mind though, is that God can also be even faster than instant!
Wow!
Even before a thought is on my heart, God knows it.
That is faster than instant!!!
Stop.
Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We are given a one-word prompt and write – unscripted, unedited, pure free-write – for 5 minutes. The prompt this week is INSTANT.
My time is up.
So to conclude:
God hears and responds in His perfect way to every prayer – even before I utter it myself.
My salvation is instant that I believe and repent; but my sanctification (my becoming more like Jesus) this takes at least the rest of our lives.
We need to lean in to God for everything and be patient, trusting that our times are in His hands and all His ways are perfect and safe.
I heard recently that Impatience is simply our focus on the I and the Me – on what I’m getting! God knows what I need!
Now there’s a thought!
dawnfanshawe 