Oaks and mushrooms

Originally posted April 16, 2010

I love this quote from Rick Warren:

"When God wants to make a giant oak, he takes a hundred years, but when he want to make a mushroom, he does it overnight."

Sometimes the challenge for us is we want something and we don't have the patience to wait to see if that is what God wants for us. There are so many things that could fall into this category; a car, a house, a job, a dating relationship (future spouse), how to spend time, how to spend money.

I was working with a young man that is wrestling with many of these decisions and that was the very question that came up. How do I know when God wants me to (all of the above).

James starts off his letter by encouraging us to consider it all joy when we face trials because "the testing of our faith develops perseverance."

Don't we create our own trials? "God hasn't told me if I'm supposed to marry this person yet." And so we fret and get anxious over this big decision. But I feel God calls us to be faithful to Him. The Bible clearly says to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. It clearly says not to worry about what to eat or wear because we are so valuable to Him that he will care for our needs. So persevere. Develop your faithfulness to Him.

I believe that when we are true to God, our reward will come. If you are waiting on a decision, it will become obvious what the answer is. Maybe that "incredible deal" goes away. Or maybe the dating relationship dissolves as a result of your pursuit of God. But if it does, haven't you chosen the better things? And isn't this "answer" a demonstration of your faith, that God has greater things for you?

When it all comes down, you want that decision to be based on knowing you are walking in God's desired path for you. Then no matter what the decision is, you will be sturdy like the oak, and not fragile like the mushroom. And your resolve will be based in the faith that produced perseverance. And that faith will last a lifetime and beyond.