Little by little......

Remember the Little Engine that Could? The point of the story was that even though he was little, the Little Engine could climb high hills and succeed in his trips if he thought he could---"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..." Self confidence and tenacity--good lessons for both our kids and ourselves. Little by little he succeeded and we strive to do that in our lives today. First school and/or college, then the job, then the relationships, then the family, goals for our children as they grow, retirement--not necessarily in that order. Quitting is not an option. We want to succeed. We know we can!

But what if success as we define it comes "little by little? What if we don't get there fast enough--or rather on our own timeline. Do we work ever the harder? Do we believe in ourselves all the more? Do we try a different route? Maybe. What if God intends this particular journey in your life path to be "little by little"?

The Children of Israel certainly had a BIG lesson in the concept of "little by little". They were slaves in Eqypt. Rescued in miraculous ways by God and led by Moses to the promised land. Yet, they didn't get there right away. They complained and bemoaned their fate asking for water, food, meat, and a tangible idol to show them God. They waited. They waited. They worried. They fussed at their earthly leaders. Then finally when they do reach the border of this infamous promised land--God says this....."The Lord your God will drive out the nations before you 'little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest........" (Deut. 7: 22)

The lest in this case was that wild animals would move in and take over the land if all the Canaanites were destroyed at once and it took awhile for the Children of Israel to develop the land for crops, herds, and cities. Now, you might say, "God could have kept the animals at bay".

You might say, "God could have sped things us." Surely a loving Father God understood the impatience of His people as they had waited and travailed so long to reach the jackpot--and here it was, yet they had to go slowly. "you will be UNABLE to destroy them all at once...."

What kind of God is this? Why is it always that He does things on HIS timeline? He knows we are frail and impatient. He loves us. He made us. He ought to get it that we would be able to be so much more faithful if He would only move things along more quickly. Why we can see exactly how things should work out for us and when and why. Not only that, but He said they would be UNABLE--why couldn't He just give them the super ability and move along!

Preachers would tell us that God uses this kind of situation to teach us, humble us, grow us, show us our dependence on Him and Him alone. He shows us that He knows the timeline and the best way and timing for all things in our lives. We have heard the sermons. God sees it all, made it all, controls it all, and will do all for our good and His purposes. (Romans 8: 28)

Somehow knowing all that doesn't make it any easier. As individuals we have plans and visions. As families we want things now for our children. As businesses we know what is best for our enterprise now. As Christians, when we pray, we want answers now. We want the things we yearn for and the ministries we care about to prosper now. We know how much better things will be all around when we get what we think is important right now. But we are unable.......

So then is our Father in Heaven deliberately slowing us down in achieving what we want? Is He putting up roadblocks? Is He making us wait--disabling us? Do we stop even trying so hard--give up persistence and tenacity and perseverance (all Biblical teachings)? Why 'little by little"?

I was struck as I read the passage in Deuteronomy about the slowing down of the Children of Israel in their so long awaited entrance into the promised land. What is God holding me back from and does He have good reasons? What am I holding myself back from by not trusting and obeying Him? How can I pray for others who wonder and worry and weaken their faith when goals are not achieved--prayers don't seem to be answered? Questions to ponder in the life of faith. Questions without immediate answers maybe, but often I find that God teaches me the most as I look back and reflect on things He did His way that I would have done so differently and in a very different time frame. I wouldn't give up even one of the blessings He has bestowed upon me --none of which I would have had I hurried on and gotten things my way.

All of this teaches me that His ways are higher than mine (Isaiah 55: 8 & 9)and I better slow down, pray, spend time in His word, and listen. His timing is the only timing that counts.