Do you ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels and going nowhere fast? It doesn’t matter how hard you try; you just can’t seem to go the next level. You’re nowhere near where you think you should be by now. Regardless of the arena, individuals are frustrated about their current condition. Perhaps, you are there now. Well, maybe you need to slow down in order to catch up. As my Grandpa used to say, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.” Some people are so driven, they cannot be led, or least find it very difficult. Are you driven or are you led? “How can I tell the difference?” The biggest indicator is peace. If you’re in a constant state of turmoil, you’re being driven. There is a healthy tension of being at rest and needing to accomplish something expeditiously. There’s nothing wrong with a sense of urgency. Of course, it’s not good to sit on your hands when you should be doing something. We’re not talking about some excuse to be lazy per se. It really has more to do with getting where you’re supposed to be in God’s time.
Why do some believers strive for the promotion? Psalm 75:6-7 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another. In the Kingdom of God, humility and patience goes a long way. James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. Being faithful where you are now, is far more conducive to gaining a promotion than activity seeking it. If you’re not faithful with what you have now, how can you expect God to give you more. In many cases, there is a proving period that you must go through, before you’re ready to move to the next level. For example, what happens if you know much about a position you’re seeking; but you actually lack the wisdom and understanding it requires? Until you gain that wisdom and understanding, you’re not ready. God knows when you’re ready. Not only that, but He knows when others are ready for you as well.
Another key ingredient is contentment. The Bible has much to say about this. Here’s a little secret: until you learn to be content with what you have or where you’re at; joy will elude you, not to mention happiness. It may be that some will ever remain where they are, until they learn to be content. Who knows what’s best, God or you?
Proverbs 30:7-9 Two things I asked of You, do not refuse me before I die: keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, that I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God.
Interestingly, the first thing requested in this passage is to be kept from deception. “I deserve it” can be a form of self-deception. When it gets down to it, what do we actually deserve? God blesses us more than we will ever realize every moment of every day. That promotion some are striving to get may actually come between God and them. Would that truly be a promotion? Matthew 16:26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Getting back to that slowing down thing: it’s from a place of peace that creativity and focus is more easily apprehended than in a state of anxiety and turmoil. Leaving things in the hands of the Lord is important. Trusting Him with everything, enables you to stay in peace. From the state of rest, you are more apt to hear His voice and sense His direction. If you allow Him full control, He will lead you in the direction you need to go, as well as give you the strategy to accomplish the right thing at the right time. Slow down enough to enjoy the relationship, and then see what happens next! Take the time to be grateful for what you do have, and leave in His hands what you don’t possess.
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