It’s easy to compare our progress with our neighbor’s growth
in the Lord. The problem with that
thought is we don’t know what is going on behind the scenes in their life. Their walk is taking different steps than
ours. Let me repeat that statement in a
different way. Their path is not the same as ours. We are all a Work in Progress.
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I was given a cool analogy recently by the Lord I want to
share with you here.
A new believer comes to Christ. They are a bit rough around the edges. But then again, aren’t we all when we start
this process?
I know I was…
I know I still am…
That believer is taken in by Christ, flaws and all, and
slowly He works on them to become more like HIM. That is the goal. Does it happen overnight? No. If
it did it would destroy us or worse, we might walk away from the pain of the
change.
Instead, in His patience with us, God works in and through
us each moment of our lives from the time we accept Him into our heart.
The work is slow and steady.
Like going along on a train track and there is a slight
shift in the track. Just a small railway
junction. Not too noticeable. But we continue that path with the small
change He made.
Then there is another small junction. Again.
Another change.
Then another one.
God moves us through tiny bits of change. Like a train going
down the track moving with the railway junction ever so slightly to the right
or left making those small changes.
Next thing you know the changes are larger when finally, you
turn and look behind.
Look HOW FAR YOU CAME??
WOW! How did that happen?
BUT GOD. He did
it. One small step at a time.
If we did all of them at once, we would not do any of them.
So, God does them in small increments.
Be patient with each other…
We are all works in progress…
God is not done with you yet…
God is not done with your neighbor yet either.
Please have patience with them. Remember they are still a work in progress
too. Next time you start to judge where your
Christian brother or sister is in their walk, remember, it is not your job to ‘fix’
them. They are on the track with the
Master. He’s got this! He’s got them! Be patient with their rough edges and flaws. They haven’t smoothed out yet. They are a work in progress.
God was patient with you. Remember?
So next time you see a set of railroad tracks... remember to be patient with them.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each
other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for
their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity
anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
