While I was outside this morning I began to think of what my plans were in 2008. Was I still on course? Had my plans changed? How did I get to where I am now? Is this where I am supposed to be?
The consequences – good or bad – of our past choices are where we stand today. Do you like where you are? Are you in a hurry?
I realized that my original goal in 2008 was not all that clear to me. I took what God gave me, and I started walking in that direction. What God gave me was a little vague, but it was as clear as it needed to be to get me started on my way.
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
2 Corinthians 5:7
What about you? Has God given you something to do that requires faith?
As I continued to tinker in the yard, I began to consider carefully why I seem to be at a standstill. Perhaps I have more to learn before I can go forward. Perhaps I have more to do. I am always tempted to be in a hurry. How about you?
And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Genesis 5:32
And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
Genesis 6:3
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
Genesis 6:8-14
And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.
Genesis 7:6
As best as we can tell, Noah spent about 100 years building the ark. Day in and day out Noah faithfully worked on that ark. That never ending ongoing task probably felt like it would never come to an end.
Be encouraged today that if God gave you a task, that task is designed just for you. God knew when He gave it to you how long it would take. Also, remember that sometimes finishing the task is not nearly as important as all the other stuff that you learn and do along the way. Enjoy the journey!
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is to review your goals. Pray about what God gave you to do. Are you still on the path He put you on? Did you get distracted along the way? Be patient if God has you waiting. His timing is always perfect. Pray about any challenges you are facing, and ask God to help you stick to the task.