Hurry up.
I am a progress person. A productivity person. But, everything in life cuts both ways. Every sword has two edges. The same attitude that drives me to productivity also opens the door to be anxious and controlling. The good desire to make progress can also turn into a white-knuckled grasping at the straws of life—attempting to fashion them into the castle you want that God is taking too long to build.
Stuck between the certainty of the goals in the future and the reality of not being in reach of them yet. I hate preparation. I just want to be prepared. I hate sowing, I much prefer reaping.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
There are plenty of areas in my life where I am well past weary in doing good while waiting for a harvest. You probably have many as well. Many days come and go where I feel weary of these things, to their varying degrees of weight and power. So many days where I feel as though I’ve already sewn enough against anxiety that I should reap a cured mind now. So many days come and go where I feel as though I’ve read enough books and gathered enough experience to jump into the next stage of ministry tomorrow.
You may feel as though you’ve put in enough hours to reap what you’re hoping for, the spouse, the kids, the college, the peace, the life, the health, the whatever-it-may-be. You may feel like all of the faithfulness and godly work you are sowing is taking root or just falling to the ground in vain.
In moments of weariness, our pride tells us that the wisest thing to do is grab onto the situation with both hands and force the square peg into the round hole. With enough force, you think, you can get it to fit. After all, it’s tough to believe that God is really at work at times, faithfully working for our good and His glory.
At the proper time.
According to me, in my limited wisdom, the proper time for harvest is now. According to God, in His limitless wisdom, the proper time is not yet. The fundamental question is, do I believe that a harvest is coming? Even more, do I trust that God’s word is true and that His love and faithfulness are dependable? Do I trust that His ordering of my life is better than anything I could accomplish? Do I trust that God truly is for me?
Of course, following Jesus isn’t some magical key that promises to make all of your wildest dreams come true. Some of our dreams, even perfectly holy dreams, may only be harvested on the other side of eternity. But even that is perfect. Even reaping them in heaven is enough. If only I could get my heart to believe that more.
At the same time, I need to get my heart to believe that God isn’t trying to make me miserable until the day of eternity. His faithfulness is not just ultimate but present, too. Following Christ means that you are loved by God, cared for by Him, protected by Him, provided for by Him, and blessed by Him. Even now.
This is life in the in-between. This is the gospel in the meantime. You are forgiven, free, sealed and set on mission. And God will be faithful to bring the fruit that is for your good and His glory, but in His wisdom, He also knows the proper time. It is good for us to pursue God-honoring goals, but we must pursue them with the attitude that God is sovereign over them, not us. He will bring the harvest. So don’t grow weary. Keep sowing. God will bring the fruit.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:57-58