On my work space shelf, I have a box of instant oatmeal. It's relatively healthy, full of fiber, and low in the bad stuff. I have it on hand for those days when I rush off to work, my tummy empty since the night before, my blood sugar low, and nary a minute to sit on my couch and eat breakfast while contemplating life. It is my breakfast safety net.
As far as instant breakfasts go, it's good. Maple and brown sugar, with dried cranberries and walnuts thrown in for extra fiber and an antioxidant effect. But compared to real breakfasts, in the privacy and comfort of my home with no job anxiety yet before me, it does not satisfy. I would far rather eat breakfast at home any day of the week.
We live in a society where the instant is highly valued. Instant breakfast. Instant cash. Instant internet. Instant messaging. Instant cures. Instant results. You can even get instant degrees. I am affected by this instant value and mantra far more than I would like to admit. One of the observations I have made about the "me" who lives in the United States as compared to the "me" who lived (and still travels) internationally is that I am far more patient in Egypt, or Pakistan, or Haiti, or Mexico. I go into a different place where I am more reliant on God, less on self. I do well when the instant is not available.
I don't only want instant when it comes to daily life; I also want instant when it comes to relief from pain and suffering - I want the magic wand to sprinkle fairy dust that turns peasants into princesses, and villains into frogs.
We are a people of instant gratification communicating with a God of process; a people who want immediate results in relationship with a God who says "Wait - I've got this." No wonder there are some discordant moments.
My longing for instant is far from God's truth. In the famous "Faith Hall of Famers" passage in the book of Hebrews, the abbreviated life stories of several people, heroes of the Christian faith, are told. Their longings and promises were not fulfilled in an instant. In verse 13 the words say " All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth." The end of the chapter gives the final explanation: " These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."
I want the magic wand to sprinkle fairy dust that turns peasants into princesses, and villains into frogs.
There are many, many times where I have screamed at God "You're too late" and I wonder if there were times when the people mentioned in Hebrews 13 did the same. All of them were people waiting for promises to be kept; all of them were people who died waiting.
But this I know: God is a God of process, a God who doesn't tell me the end of the story, but continues to write it day after day. He is a God who asks me to trust the process, to honour the struggle.
My world calls me to instant access. God calls me to slow process. My world promises instant change. God promises slow and lasting transformation. May the voice and promise of God be more compelling than the voice of my world.
