Slow but Sure

For the most part my spiritual journey, that development of faith and trust in the Lord, has been a slow, natural progression. Even though I got and early start at both, I'm still struggling for maturity as a Christian and artist. Some of us are slow learners. From the time a bud first appears to its full flowering, there's always a slow, gentle unfolding. In reading how God usually works with us slowly and gently, I was very touched, because that is how he has always dealt with me. He seems to take me by the hand like a small child, leading and teaching me slowly, but surely, never rushing. He knows my steps are tentative; and even though He always walks a bit ahead of me and I trust Him, still, we go slowly. Like every great teacher He provides lessons and tasks that are on my level, but that contain a challenge, an opportunity for growth. I have never felt that He was rushing me into something for which I was not prepared. Always He has smoothed the ground ahead of time. It almost seems that I have been given a thought, a desire, some bit of knowledge, or training, ahead of time, so that when an occasion or opportunity arose, it was not strange or unfamiliar. God is such a gentle taskmaster; He would never ask us to do something for which we were unprepared or unsuited. Surely his "yoke is easy" and his "burden is light."

Psalm 16.11 - You will reveal the path of life to me.

Luke 3.5 - Winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth.

Proverbs 4.25-26 - Let your eyes be fixed ahead, your gaze be straight before you. Let the path you tread be level and all your ways made firm.

Psalm 25.4-5 - Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation.

Jeremiah 10.23-24 - O Lord, I know it is not within the power of man to map his life and chart his course - so, correct me, Lord, but please be gentle.

Matthew 11.29-30 - Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Psalm 37.23-24 - God guides a man's steps, they are sure, and he takes pleasure in his progress; he may fall, but never fatally, since God supports him by the hand.

Psalm 22.9-12 - Lord, you have helped me before! You took me safely from my mother's womb and brought me through the years of infancy. I have depended upon you since birth; you have always been my God.

Psalm 71.5-6 - O Lord, you alone are my hope; I've trusted you since childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth and have helped me constantly.

Isaiah 46.3-4 - I have cared for you from the time you were born. I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is gray.

Philippians 3.12 - I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I haven't learned all I should even yet, but I will keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be.

Philippians 1.6 - I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished.

Habakkuk 2.3 - These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely the time approaches.