Here it is, the last in this monthly series revolving around the theme of rooted in gratitude, growing in grace based on Colossians 2:6–7, “So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Today’s column will be about being rooted and not rushed. The focus is trusting in God’s timing.
The Pressure to Hurry
I know I have talked about this before. We are living in a culture of urgency. Starting from what we need and ending with what we want, there is an urgency to have it all now. Society encourages this. Marketing focuses on the fear of missing out (FOMO) and often causes us to feel behind. We believe that we need to have what everyone else has or we are a failure and that we need to succeed like other people or we are not doing enough.
It is also taught that we need to hurry and have kids and get married. Then we are told that we need to focus on our careers and hurry to succeed. There are so many ways that society tells us to hurry to get there, to get what we want or what we are told we want and to reach certain goals by a certain time in life. It is no wonder that stress and anxiety are on the rise.
An article in Psychology Today talks about how this urgency culture is creating more stress and anxiety. People of today are challenged to always be on, to always be accessible. We are expected to provide immediate responses even when it is not needed. This makes proper rest almost impossible. In the workplace, we encounter unrealistic deadlines and are prone to increased multi-tasking. Both lead to a greater increase in errors and employee burnout. In our personal life, we are expected to respond to everything immediately. This can also lead to greater stress and anxiety due to spending too much time worrying about what was missed.
God’s Pace Is Different
There is good news! Once we understand who we were created to be and what our purpose truly is, we can focus more on God’s timing. God’s timing is different. It encompasses slow and intentional growth. Reflect on Psalm 1:3, “He is like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in season; Its leaves never wither; whatever he does prospers.” (usccb.org) Your water is your faith. It is God who sustains you. You will yield fruit in season. That means that when you align your life to God’s will, you will be living your purpose. Living your purpose is where you will bear your fruit. In faith, your leaves do not wither. Even when times are hard, you are living with the help of the streams of water, your faith. Whatever you do will prosper as long as you are living aligned to God’s will.
Then there is God’s timing. We know His timing is very different from our timing. God’s timing is when we know and trust that God has a plan. It is His plan that creates order and purpose for our life. His plan and purpose does not follow our timeline. It teaches us patience, but active patience. His timing creates space for learning and preparation for what is to come. It is in surrendering to God that we can peacefully live with His timing. Pray the Surrender Novena if you feel you are struggling with surrendering to God’s timing.
The Danger of Rushing Growth
There is danger in rushing growth. Besides missing out on planning and preparation, you are putting yourself at risk of burnout. Burnout is very common. There are studies showing that somewhere between 55% to 75% of the U.S. workforce experience burnout. These are only studies done in the workforce. Imagine what it might be for stay-at-home moms or dads. Another danger is shallow roots. People are losing their foundations that give them strength. This leads to reduced family stability. Without a stable family, children become lost in who they are. God often falls by the wayside. Focus is centered on the materialistic needs and wants. Roots become vulnerable.
Remember Ecclesiastes 3:11, “God has made everything appropriate to its time, but has put the timeless into their hearts so they cannot find out, from beginning to end, the work which God has done.” (usccb.org) Take growth as it comes. Use the time of waiting for growth as an opportunity to build a relationship with God. Develop your roots so you can sustain your growth.
What It Means to Be Rooted
What does it mean to be rooted? It begins with faith and having consistency in that faith. Let it show in your actions as well as your words. Pray. Have discussions with God. It also means to abide in Jesus. It is remaining in relationship just as we are instructed in John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (usccb.org)
Being rooted means to have that foundation in faith. It is believing and trusting in God;s timing because you have a relationship ith God. That rooted faith is a foundation that provides security to fight off fear and doubt. If you do not feel rooted or secure, work on your foundation of faith. Work on your surrender.
Trusting the Process of God’s Timing
Sometimes it may just feel like you will never reach your destination or live in your purpose. Trusting in God’s timing will keep you headed on the right path. Galatians 6:9 reminds us “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.” (usccb.org) You need to know that God has a plan and that plan will play out in His time. But, you must still do the work that God wants you to do. You do not sit by and let life happen to you. Take action, trusting that God’s timing is perfect for the outcome He has chosen.
Ultimately, we need to remember to practice faithfulness over speed. Because it will happen in God’s timing and not in ours. We need to focus more on the process than the outcome. Every step of the way is an opportunity to grow and to develop stronger roots. Utilize that time, enjoy it and be thankful for it.
Encouragement To Trust God’s Timing
In conclusion, know that you are exactly where you need to be. Embrace the journey. Invest in yourself. Just because growth is slow does not mean God is absent. Roots take time because what God plants deeply can withstand all storms. Stay rooted. God is still growing something beautiful in you.
Lord, teach me to grow at Your pace.
Teach me to be grateful for the process.
Help me to embrace this time of learning and discovery.
I am grateful for Your timing, knowing that in Your timing I will bear fruit.
Thank you for calling me to serve in my purpose.
In Jesus’ Name I pray.
Amen.
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