Donald Wickham’s Blog

Life is a process.  That is pretty obvious but much in life are also processes.  There certainly are events in one’s life: birth, marriage, joining God’s family, death.  But living isn’t one event after another.  And for most of us, that is the challenge.

We have grown accustom to instant.  Instant/text messages, email, cell phones, meals.  We want instant answers and solutions, instant maturity, instant friends, instant character.  But rarely, so very rarely do we get anything that fast. 

Friend Process

Friendship, deep and lasting friendship, takes time and effort.  Yes, I know there are cases where you feel that deep connection right away.  But still, there is a process.  Getting to know one another takes time.  And being able to trust each other takes time, and difficulties.  We don’t really know we can trust someone until there is a strain or problem and we make it thru. 

Answers Process

This one is a struggle, certainly for me.  When I have an issue or problem or need direction, I want to know the answer and I want it NOW!  The adage, “Patience is a virtue” is not what I want to hear.  This waiting on God, well doesn’t He know I need it NOW!  Of course He does.  He knows the question/issue before I do.  But I’m reminded that God isn’t an answer box.  Yes, He has answers and, yes, He wants to give them.  But He really is after a relationship.  One of trust that He will give me whatever I need at the right (His) time.  Interesting that this works on my impatience and on my character. A process.

Maturity Process

This one is so interesting.  Young people want to be accepted as mature adults.  They know everything, right?  Yet maturity comes only thru time, and might I add, struggles.  And mentoring/fathering.  Perhaps this is one reason we have men who are still boys.  They have avoided the struggles at all costs, and the cost is huge.  And in difficulties, they turn to other boy-men instead of wise fathers for help.  There is a saying the character is bestowed or imparted.  A call for fathering. 

“Salvation” Process

The scripture says, work out your salvation.  What does that mean?  We can’t save ourselves, only God, in Christ, can and does.  In Romans 12 it says to renew our mind.  There is a metamorphous involved.  And just like the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly, it is a process.  A consequence of our friendship/relationship with our true Father.  As we rub shoulders, so to speak, with Father God, we are transformed.  He imparts and bestows His character into us.  Our only requirement, and it is tough enough, is to stay engaged with Him in the process.  Letting Him do it His way.   Ouch.  But I want it my way, NOW!  

So let us live.  Trusting the process.  Trusting Father God knows what He is doing.

Tags:   character · fathering · friend process · Friendship · instant · life is a process · Maturity · mentoring · Patience · Process · relationship · salvation · stuggles · TrustNo Comments