When You Feel Behind, Remember This: You're Becoming

Have you ever had one of those days where you look at your life, your goals, or even your faith...and wonder, "is this actually working?"

Me too. We all do.

If that's you today, I want to remind you of something simple but deeply true:

As a follower of Jesus, no matter your occupation, you are doing holy work - and holy work rarely feels fast. But it always bears fruit.

We live in a world obsessed with instant results. Even when we know we need to be patient, the world pressures everything with instant results - work, the church, kids, health...everything.

It's like we've placed an unnatural value on quick wins. Overnight success. But God's Kingdom doesn't usually move at the speed of our expectations. It moves at the speed of seeds.

Planting.

Watering.

Waiting.

Trusting.

and that means:

Just because you don't see progress in the next 3.7 minutes doesn't mean God isn't producing it.

We need to STOP our obsession with producing growth and getting bigger, for getting bigger's sake. (churches, I'm talking to you!) We aren't called to do the changing of hearts; that is God's work. And people don't need to be in your building for that to happen. In fact, that may be a hindrance to that happening. Stop announcing everything as a new program and let people respond to God's call as they will. Stop being recklessly focused on trying to grow faster. We don't need bigger stages, flashier performances, or beefier programs. We need faithful planters.

Every small act of faithfulness matters more than you think.

• Every encouraging word you speak or write

• Every prayer whispered in the quiet

• Every moment you choose compassion and patience instead of anger or frustration

• Every step you take when you don't feel strong enough but rely on God anyway.

• Every person you love in the simplest way

God uses each one of these to form you and others. To shape you and strengthen you.

And here's the part we forget:

You aren't behind. You aren't failing because you aren't as big or bright as the next person. You are becoming.

Becoming who God made you to be.

Becoming stronger than you realize.

Becoming more rooted, patient, and hopeful.

Growth almost always feel slow. It was designed to be.

But slow growth is deep growth - the kind that lasts.

So today, breathe.

Drop the pressure.

Stop measuring yourself against outcomes you can't control.

Be a faithful planter.

Keep showing up.

You are growing.

You are doing good, meaningful work - even if it doesn't show up on the world's super-fast-growth-meter.

Even if no one else sees it. Keep writing. Keep praying. Keep being who God called you to be.

And trust me:

God often operates at the speed of seed.

So let Him.

Pastor Paul

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