“There’s the pressure to keep pressing on, . . putting one foot in front of the other. There’s no time to cry or process. We have to intentionally build time into our lives so that we can see that God is loving us right here.”- Jennifer Dukes Lee
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — not by works, so that no one can boast.”- Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)
In Chapter 9 (“What It All Comes Down To”) of Growing Slow, Jennifer Dukes Lee talks about the ways we push ourselves in pursuit of love. Perhaps it involves performance and achievement. But, Jennifer cautions, even something that looks completely selfless, like serving others, can serve as a way to get someone to love you back.
The apostle Paul writes about the incredible gift God holds out to each of us in Ephesians 2:8. Yet, we tend to insist on settling for second-rate substitutions. Because we want to know that our life matters, we race against time to make sure it will.
Furthermore, we look to the world to love us back. However, the world falls short every time. Consequently, Jennifer exhorts, accept where you are. Resist the urge to race forward in search of mattering. For you’ll find mattering right here.
In conclusion, ‘results’ don’t define you. Rather, a singular relationship defines you – your faith in Jesus. Nothing else. Therefore, keep working hard, planting seed and watching things grow.
Above all, remember that some things prove worthy of the wait. For example, periods when you must wait for God to move, for some prayer to be answered.
But, you don’t need to wait to find love. Because it’s right here, right now. Jesus waits for you, with arms open wide. And He stands with you in your fields.
Today’s question: What most helps you relive the pressure to keep pressing on? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Good fences protect and preserve”
