INSTANT GRATIFICATION
Elisa Sangiorgio
10-00

We all live in an instantaneous world. We want instant gratification. We have microwaves, instant pudding, instant soups, we send out next day delivery, e-mails, INSTANT message, faxes, well, you get my point. We live in a high-paced society where everything has to be done right away. I am including myself in this too. For example, my family and I went out to eat for dinner tonight, for my birthday, and the service was slow. We were all VERY hungry, so that didn't help. As we waited, we had a nice conversation, and we were able to relax. Well, somewhat, as our stomachs wouldn't let us. :) The service was slow because they were crowded, but we wanted our food. We're spoiled and, now I mean all of us, used to quick things, and if they don't happen right away, we get mad. Like we New Yorkers hate slow drivers. ha ha. I'm always telling people, as if they can hear me, "Pedal on the right!! The light's not gonna get any greener! OH, gee, thanks for signaling. I forgot it's STOP, TURN, THEN signal!" I believe that's why God's greatest lesson to teach us is patience. We live in a hectic world, yet God is the God of patience. He'll put us behind the slow drivers, give us slow service, make us wait for Him to work out His plan for our lives.

He wants us to have a day of rest every week, to relax, spend time with Him, get away from the things of the world. He wants us to trust Him for our future. We want our futures to happen tomorrow, but God makes us wait weeks, months, even years. He is slowly, but surely teaching me this. I'm an impatient person, as many people are, and I want instant gratification. I want to send an e-mail out and get a reply in five minutes. Who cares if they didn't read my letter, reply to it!! LOL Ok, so I'm not that bad, but I am impatient. God is helping me realize this and to trust HIM. To WAIT on HIM. That HE will bring whatever it is to pass in HIS time, and I need to wait for that. Sure, I want certain things to happen, but they haven't, and may never. I get frustrated with people for not doing anything about it, when it's really God who isn't doing it because it's just not His timing or will. God is teaching me to be patient and wait for His perfect timing. If it doesn't happen, then He doesn't want it to happen. God's Spirit will lead others to want to sing my music, or give me a job, etc. I don't need to do anything. It's when we least expect it, when God does it. God likes to surprise us. :) I am also learning not to push people, and to be calm and let God work on their hearts. When people do things on their own, instead of doing it just to shut you up, it makes it more special, because they wanted to do it. I'm learning that too. I still have a lot more to learn, and many ways I need to grow, but I'm willing, and God's a patient teacher. Aren't you glad He's God? Faithful, patient, and never gets angry or upset with us. He keeps on forgiving and forever loving us no matter what. If we are willing, He will teach. We will never stop learning either. There will be things I'll probably never know until I die, so for now I continue to be God's faithful, impatient student. :)

My family and I are doing a Bible study on Spiritual Warfare. The following is the study we did today. It seemed very appropriate to what I had to say above. I want you to notice the first question after the opening passage. Perhaps you should answer it on your own....

The Heavenly Wager Job 1:1-2:10

I need to be so utterly God's, that He can use me or hide me, as He chooses, as an arrow in His hand or in His quiver. I will ask no questions: I relinquish all rights to Him who desires my supreme good. --Helen Roseveare, Living Sacrifice

A cursory survey of the history of humankind will reveal that trials are part and parcel of life itself. It is only in the last few centuries, with the advent of industrialization and the comforts and conveniences of modern life, that this assumption has been questioned. Why stay hot if air conditioning is available? Why walk when cares are so easy to access? Why wash clothes by hand when reliable washing machines will do the job for you? Why suffer with a headache when you can take a pill? All of the technological advances certainly alleviate many discomforts, but they will never eliminate the fact that life is difficult and all of us must face trials.

Unfortunately, along with our modern appliances and conveniences has come a general attitude that we have a right to a quick and comfortable solution for any problem we face. Why work hard to write a paper for school when paper writing services are available? Why suffer a minor injury in silence when a lawsuit may make you rich? Why stay in a painful marriage when a divorce is easy to obtain?

In light of modern context, Job's story may at first seem old-fashioned and out of date. However, a closer look at the substance of his trials shows that his experience is timeless, and his attitude through trials continues to provide a model for us today.

1. In what areas do you struggle with wanting INSTANT solutions to hard problems?

Insights for the Journey is a little newsletter I will send out periodically. Thank you for letting me share with you.