Slow And Steady Progress

In the tale of the tortoise and the hare and their famous race we know the tortoise won because of slow and steady progress while the hare got out front and then took a nap.

Slow and steady progress of the soul may not look flashy and draw a lot of attention but, in the long run it is very beneficial to the soul. We don't like slow. We get frustrated with slow traffic, slow cashiers, slow drive throughs, and slow internet connections. We do everything in our power to make things faster, more efficient, and quicker. We have faster computers and cell phones. We are used to instant communications.

Many people have a poor appreciation for steady. Steady are some people who run the 5-K or the marathon methodically. They will never set records but they finish. They complete the race. They progress steadily until they reach the finish line. The progress steadily in the race one step at a time. In the end they accomplish their goal through discipline, resolve, and persistence. They accomplish much more than the person who puts on running shoes and goes to the track one a year.

The Christian life is like that. It is slow and steady progress. One quiet time after another. One worship encounter after another. One Bible study after another. One camp after another. One retreat after another. One act of service or random act of kindness on top of another. Each one by itself may not seem life changing but, the accumulative effect of all produce life changing results. Progress is made spiritually by leaps and bounds through slow and steady adherence to spiritual disciplines.

For the believer the steady and systematic reading and study of God's word produces valuable insight, revelation, and transformation over time. The Bible is not a book to be speed read. Rather it t is a book to be read slowly, meditatively, and thoughtfully. It is a book to be memorized. It is a book to be consumed in small daily portions. Just like one single meal can never satisfy nor sustain a person forever neither can one Bible reading or one sermon sustain and satisfy the soul forever. Additional soul meals are required for slow and steady progress in the faith.

There are many Christian event and program junkies. Churches are always looking for short cuts and quick fixes for members to mature. When will we ever learn no one single event can sustain us forever. No program or study will ever suffice to give us all we need. God can use events. God can and has used programs and special studies. I have attended many such events and participated in many such studies. God used each to help me progress further in the faith. Yet I always returned to my private devotions afterwards and weekly worship for continued growth.
None of those things have had the impact on my life as much as the slow and steady diet of private devotions and weekly corporate worship. Those private devotions pale in comparison to Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush. [Ex 3:1-10] None of those worship services could equal what happened when the glory of God filled the temple. [II Chronicles 7:1-5] Yet God used each for slow and sadly progress in my life.

As a pastor I know over the long haul a steady diet of preaching and teaching God's word is what the flock needs. I know it is not flashy. I know it is not always exciting. It certainly is not entertaining. Right now I am working my way through the book of Romans on Wednesday night. A steady dose of doctrine is good for progress in the soul. I've spent the past couple of months preaching in the book of Psalms. I know one single sermon is not enough for the parishioners. They need feeding weekly. It takes work in prayer and diligent study to prepare those messages. It is well worth the effort for my personal life as well as those sheep entrusted to my care.

I thank God for those who went before us and set the example of the slow and steady progress in the things of God. Faithfulness. Steadfastness. Perseverance. Endurance. Persistence. These are all words I have come to love. As well as a great promise from God to keep us going through every season of life. Philippians 1:6 (NASB) 
⁶  For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Slow and steady progress to the end of life is the goal.