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Jul 23, 2023 06:00am

Walking at God’s Pace

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This weekend as I was spending time with some of my kids and grandkids, I was thinking about the stark contrast between our work pace and our “spending time with kids” pace. When we are working, it seems our minds are constantly stimulated and in problem solving mode. When we are in “spending time with kids” mode, it seems there are no problems to solve; only conversations to have, people to be interested in, and time to be enjoyed.

I love this space and time with them, sometimes it involves an open and intimate conversation. Sometimes it means playing together. Sometimes it means slowing down to a toddler’s pace and just enjoying the wonderment of the world from a child’s perspective. It makes me ponder if this is the type of fellowship that God desires with us.

When sin entered the world through Adam in Genesis 3, the fellowship between mankind and God was broken. There was now a problem to solve, but God had a plan to redeem mankind to Himself. He would first show mankind his sinfulness by giving His law as a standard of measure and by allowing those who would not obey to reap the consequences of their action in hopes that they would turn to Him in repentance.

Next God chose a nation to be appointed as the nation through which He would demonstrate His greatness, His mercy, His faithfulness, His grace and through which He would demonstrate His love for the world. He chose them despite their fallenness, despite their unworthiness, despite their stubbornness; He chose them because in their weaknesses, His glory is greatest.

Then in spectacular fashion, Galatians 4:4-5 says when the fullness of time had come. God sent His Son, to be born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may receive adoption as sons with full rights.

“When the fullness of time” is a phrase that means when everything was ready and set out as God had planned it, He sent His Son, Jesus, to be born. While we can read the entire story from Genesis to John, telling us much of what happened in the years leading up to the birth of Jesus, there is no way for us to know, understand, or comprehend all that God’s plan entailed to make this time of Jesus’ birth the perfect time. But by faith, we know it to be true.

Jesus’ life involved demonstrating love and compassion for people but He also spoke hard truths to them and taught them that comfort and ease in this life is not the most important thing. He came preaching repentance and faith that changes how we live to glorify God, draw others to Him, and prepare for an eternal kingdom with Him on the throne. After Jesus lived the perfect human life and made the perfect sacrifice to pay the penalty for sin, He returned to heaven to be with God, the Father, once again. But before He left, He gave all those who would put their faith in Him and follow Him two things. He gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide them and convict them of sin and righteousness, and He gave them a job to do–the “ministry of reconciliation.” As His followers, we are called to tell others about the reconciliation with Him. There are two things needed for this ministry: we need to tell others the good news of Jesus’ sacrifice for sin and the redemption that God provides, and we must extend the same mercy that God extends to us when he “didn’t hold our sin against us”( II Corinthians 5:19).

I’m sure by now you’re wondering what in the world this has to do with the sweet fellowship that started this conversation. Let me pull these ideas together for you. If we, as followers of Jesus, understand that the biggest problem to solve or burden to bear is the problem of sin, we should also be able to rest in the fact that God has already solved that problem. If we, as followers of Jesus, understand that forgiveness of sin is not earned and comes only through the goodness and kindness and power of God when we put our faith in Him, there is no burden on you to convince someone else and no minimum requirement for either you or them to earn or keep that forgiveness. If we, as followers of Jesus, understand that God uses various means to draw people to Him and His timing is always perfect according to His ways, there is no deadline. The only thing left for us to do in this relationship with God is to go at God’s pace, trusting that as we love and obey Him, He is continuing to do His work of redemption for those who need to come to faith, and the work of sanctification (growing in holiness) in the believer who is walking through this life preparing for heaven.

Matthew 11:29 says, take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. It seems that going at God’s pace, would give us peace in our hearts and minds, and lighten the burden so that we can enjoy the journey home despite circumstances.