Yes, there are many stories and instances of how God’s mighty hands instantaneously changing people’s lives and growth-always has been. But natural and organic growth in the Spirit takes time. I keep forgetting that. When you don’t see the fruits that you’re trying to grow so hard, you get frustrated. You want to see results of your prayer life, of reading the Bible, seeking God. And then when sin enters your life and you see see/experience all that you’ve been building up crumble down in a second…even more frustration and doubt enter your heart. 

Waiting with time requires trust I realize. While we’re waiting, we will come up against temptations and and sin and doubt whether you’re growing. But you have to trust that God is growing you through seasons. And that’s where I’m at right now. Trusting. Seeking. 

I remember my relationship with some of the youth group kids. I don’t get to see them much during the school year, maybe 3-4 times. Then during winter and summer break, I see them at retreats and way more often. Their pastor sees them weekly and he was telling me how he sees growth in the youth group kid’s lives but it’s not noticeable and its by small increments. But me on the other hand, I see them in span of months and everytime I see them again, I’m like “Wow, they’ve grown so much spiritually!” and I see the noticeable changes by big increments.

And I think we’re like the pastor’s point of view, where we live day by day, and can’t see much fruit in our spiritual lives because we’re living in the moments of growth. But God, who is omnipresent, not only sees the day to day small incremental changes….but He sees ahead and sees who we will become! Having hope in that :)