Day 28........It Takes TIME

Oh man. This is SO good. Someone told me one time that a tree that's grown from a sprout to a six foot tree can never be planted outside, at least not down here. Where I live we're close to the Gulf Coast. On average we have 10-20 mph winds everyday. Sometimes there can be gusts up to 40 mph. That's not a storm, that's normal. A tree that's grown up inside has never had adversity. It doesn't even know what it's like to be tested. Once transplanted outside, the first good wind will snap it in two, or bend it over so that it will never grow right. But if a tree sprouts up outside, or is transplanted when it's really small, it will get accustomed to the wind. It will be blown about, but it will eventually, plant it's roots deep enough to withstand even the greatest of winds, perhaps even those of a hurricane.

We want to grow instantly. But that would be like feeding a 3 year old a meal, and expecting him/her to be 20 years old after he/she eats it. It's just not realistic. And did you know, that it takes 23 days to start a habit, and 23 days to break one? Why then do we expect folks to be completely different minutes after receiving Jesus. I don't know about you all, but I've always been taught that we must stop doing this or that immediately. That's just a fantasy. When I surrendered completely to Jesus I was delivered immediately from crack cocaine, and alcoholism. Right away. BUT, I couldn't let go of cigarettes. I'll never forget as long as I live, it was July of 1998, and I was bouncing off the walls I was so happy that I was free from drugs and alcohol. But I was still smoking. Everyone seemed so happy to see me in the mornings (Sunday) but when I showed up for the evening services I usually smelled like smoke. Oh, the looks I would get. I felt such condemnation. I know, I know..........Romans 8:1, but I just felt so bad. So one Friday I decided I was going to DO IT! I was going to be free from those stinking things NOW!!! So, I threw away my pack of smokes and my lighter and started my day. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. My 1980 Plymouth Duster's driver side door even opened in mid-turn, and I had to push myself back up into the car and scraped up my hand on the pavement. By 5:30 that afternoon, I was frazzled. I went to go put gas in my car. As I put the nozzle in the opening, and clicked the pump to run continuously without having my hand on it, the nozzle popped out, and sprayed me with gas. I walked into the store, bought some smokes, another lighter, and headed to a bar. I drank for about an hour, then went to one of my drug suppliers and bought some cocaine. When I woke up the next morning, I was so ashamed. I repented, cried, and whined. Then the Lord spoke to me as clearly as He ever has and said, "OK, can we do it in My time now?" So from that day forward, I never drank or used again, but I smoked without abandon. I would even drive down the road singing praises to God, while smoking a cigarette. Many folks think that was sacreligious, but I didn't care. I knew it would be done in God's timing, not mine or anyone else's. About 6 weeks later I was driving down the road, heading home. I was smoking a cigarette at the time. I heard, "That's the last cigarette you're ever going to smoke." So, I finished it........took a few more drags and tossed it. That was indeed the last one I ever had. I think the Lord allowed me to go through that, to show me, that not everything is going to be instant. Some things might be. But others won't. I know that we're all different, and what He did in me, He may not do in someone else. If I didn't stop smoking crack and drinking immediately, I was going to die. As it turns out, I was dying. But I was healed of the damage to my lungs and heart. But that's a whole other story!

"In what area of my spiritual growth do I need to be more patient and persistent?"

Well, I'll tell you, when my cousin (who was my pastor, I was his assistant) left this area and told me that I was going to be pastor, no one was more surprised than me. But one thing I didn't realize is that everyone expected me to be just like him, overnight. Or, they expected me to be like an elderly pastor we had many years ago. I used to get quite frustrated because I want to be a better pastor. I wanted to be what they wanted me to be. But I realize I can't be my cousin, and I can't be Brother Harry. God is still working on me, but sometimes I want it all done now! Hehehehehe. I guess my answer to the question is EVERY area. I need to be more patient and persistent in all areas of my spiritual growth. I need to remember that just as with others it's not going to happen overnight, it's not going to happen that way with me either. By remembering how I was freed from smoking is a good start. What say you??? :-) James