Of Greater Consequence Than What We Do Today
By Jennifer Slattery
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness knowledge, and to knowledge, self-control, and to self-control, perseverance … For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-8
I tend to focus on the problems and opportunities in front of me. To plan and plot and scheme and strive. But God’s vision goes deeper and is much farther reaching. His priority—growing within me whatever I’ll need to successfully navigate tomorrow.
He rarely tells me what’s up ahead. Instead, He gently whispers guidance for today.
One summer, I found this particularly frustrating. I was wrestling with some career decisions, feeling as if I needed answers immediately. I wanted to follow God’s wisdom, to yield to His guidance, but He seemed silent. Feeling discouraged and unsettled, I met with a friend.
I shared with her all my concerns, all my options, and of course, all of my confusion.
“Well,” she said, “What’s God saying to you?”
I sighed. “Nothing. Other than character-growth stuff.”
She smiled. “Then that’s what He wants you to focus on.”
Later that afternoon, as I puttered around my house, tidying up (also known as allowing my thoughts to stew), realization hit. My personal growth would have far greater benefits, not only in terms of my faith and relationships with God and others, but also in relation to future success, than any momentary decision I could make.
God was lovingly preparing me for what lay ahead. This understanding stilled my swirling, chaotic thoughts and allowed me to rest. I didn’t need to figure everything out. I simply needed to follow His guidance, trust His wisdom, and lean into His strength.
The rest would come, in His perfect timing. And it did. With each opportunity and endeavor, God showed me precisely what steps to take and led me in a direction I hadn’t known existed but proved far better than anything I could conceive on my own.
He’ll do the same for you.
Jennifer Slattery is a writer, editor, speaker, and the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries. She writes for Crosswalk, is a multipublished author of Hometown Healing among other titles who also writes articles, Bible studies, and devotions. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall outings with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. Visit her online at jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com or book her for your next women’s event.
Visit WhollyLoved.com for more inspirational messages or to book them for your next women's event
Originally published Sunday, 13 October 2019.
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