From Instant Gratification to Eternal Transformation

The Instant Society: Where Patience Goes to Die

In today’s fast-paced world, we’ve grown accustomed to instant gratification. We want it all, and we want it now. No patience required. No effort necessary. Just give us the results, and we’re good to go.

I recall my childhood fascination with ninjas, sparked by watching Enter the Dragon. My brother, Silviu, took the initiative and enrolled in Tae Kwon Do classes. I, on the other hand, opted for a more…relaxed approach, hoping to absorb ninja skills through osmosis. Needless to say, my brother’s dedication paid off, while I’m still waiting for my ninja skills to kick in.

A Culture of Excuses

This instant society mentality seeps into our spiritual lives as well. We crave a deeper connection with God, but we’re not willing to put in the work. We complain about feeling disconnected, yet we haven’t opened our Bibles in weeks or attended church services regularly. We’d rather make excuses than make time for our faith.

Apostle Paul likened the Christian journey to a race. You can’t win a race without putting in the effort, without pushing through the exhaustion. Yet, many of us expect to reap the rewards of a strong faith without putting in the necessary work.

Persistence is Key

God desires a deeper relationship with us, but it requires effort from both sides. We need to engage with His Word, communicate with Him in prayer, and surround ourselves with fellow believers. Scripture reminds us that growth in Christ is a gradual process, day by day, little by little.

The stories of Jacob, Elisha, and others in the Bible teach us the value of persistence. They didn’t give up, even when faced with obstacles and discouragement. And God rewarded their diligence.

Transforming Our Lives

We can’t expect transformation to occur while we’re busy binge-watching TV shows or scrolling through social media. We need to create space for God to work in our lives. It’s a daily choice to prioritize our faith, to persist in our pursuit of Him.

As I reflect on my own journey, I’m reminded that even in the midst of struggles, persistence is key. My pastor once said, “If we never run into the devil, it may be because we’re both going in the same direction.” Let’s choose to fight the good fight, to persevere in our pursuit of a fruitful relationship with Christ.

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