«For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow» (James 1:3, NLT).
One of my friends is the kindest person in the world . . except when she is driving. When she is stuck in traffic, this beautiful lady—who is normally sweet and respectful—turns from a butterfly to a caterpillar. She becomes angry, impatient and demanding. It seems like she can take it all gracefully and patiently, except for traffic jams.
Many times I go through life like my friend on the freeway. As long as I am moving fast toward my goal, everything is fine! But if I feel like I am stuck in a situation, unable to make progress, then my caterpillar attitude appears. Has that ever happened to you? Perhaps you are trying to improve your health, trying to find a spouse or trying to attain financial stability. You pray and exert all your effort, but it seems you are not going anywhere. As if the wheels of your life had gotten stuck in a rut, you move, but you are still in the same place.
Although we do not like it one bit, there will be times when we are stuck. However, as writer Michael Yaconelli explains in Messy Spiritually, perhaps that is not as bad as we think: «Getting stuck can be the best thing that happens to us, because it forces us to stop. . . . We have no choice but to realize what surrounds us and we end up seeking Jesus.» Our plan is to reach the goal as soon as possible, but God’s plan is to transform our character. There are no shortcuts for His work!
One day, as I was going home from work, I was stuck in a park I usually go across. However, that afternoon the metal gate at the end of the path was locked. I had no choice but to retrace my steps and go around the block to get home. I was upset by the waste of time, until I noticed there was a tiny deer in the middle of the park. Surprised by the unusual visitor, I thanked God for leading me through the most beautiful route, not the shortest one.
Dear Lord, whenever I feel stuck in a situation, please help me to take my foot off the gas pedal to notice the beauty surrounding me. Help me to see that You are with me at every stage, even the difficult ones. Every season is necessary for my growth, even when that growth takes place under the surface and only You notice it.