My sister and I recently started training for a 10km foot race at the end of the summer. This is a new challenge for both of us, as we weren’t really all that athletic in school. Just how much of a challenge is it? Well, at the moment, I can’t even run a full 3km without having to stop and walk in between, so, it’s apparent to me that I have a long way to go before I reach my goal of 10km, let alone 10km at a relatively competitive pace. What’s frustrating is that the goal is at least several months away, rather than being attainable by, say, this Thursday, or even the end of the month. But, having read several training guides, I’ve also become aware that this is normal. Bodily change – especially change as drastic as this (that is, going from relative non-activity to running a 10km race) takes time, but also patience and persistence.

I believe that sometimes in our journey with the church, we feel the expectation that we need to change presto, within the blink of an eye, overnight. It may not be stated explicitly, but I’ll even admit that I may inadvertently make such implicit references and admonitions in my classes or sermons. Change in our behaviour, spiritual change, emotional change, and, yes, physical change takes time, and may involve a series of attempts. What’s important is that we recognize that change is often a process, and not necessarily an event, and that we invest the effort, and cultivate the patience to see these goals come to fruition. We also need to realize that, even though God wants to see change in us, he is also very patient and understanding with us.

“The Lord ... is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Pet. 3:9