Beware of shortcuts. This is essentially what Solomon is teaching us in today’s verses. The right way is often also the long way. God leads us at the rate of our growth and that is very slow. It is no use gaining what we do not have the ability to steward or enjoy. It is the journey that develops in us the capacity to steward and enjoy what we gain as a result. Let’s not, therefore, be impatient in the journey. When I was in my early twenties, I wanted to be immediately successful with my music. It was, however, a long slow grind to achieve what we did. In retrospect, however, I am thankful for this slow journey. In those early days I was struggling to steward what success God had already given me. Yet I wanted more, and largely for the wrong reasons (though there was always a legitimate sense of calling in it all). As it is, God has always given me a bit more than I can easily steward at any given time. It is always therefore a challenge for me to grow into the blessings of God and to learn to be a wise steward. But God’s grace leads me forwards and I have learned not to wish for things to go faster than they do. I have learned to value the long way, because the long way is life’s scenic route. The process is as important as the result. Learn to engage in what God is doing now rather than wishing for what is up ahead. It is what you gain in the present that will give you the ability to steward and enjoy what will come to you in the future.
Reflect on what God is saying to you at the moment.
Read Ecclesiastes 7:7-9
