Change takes time y’all. Whatever is of lasting value takes time, effort, prayer, and lots and lots of grace for it to be built, established and to endure. The Kingdom of Heaven does not come down on earth in a “revolutionary” manner, and by that I mean, an immediate, complete and powerful overthrow. No, it is the mustard seed that started as the smallest seed and grew and grew till it is the largest of garden plants (Matthew 13:32). Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough” (Matthew 13:33).

Work for change, yes. Societal, personal, family, friendships, accomplishing goals, but also remember that change and growth takes time. Give yourself grace. Give others much grace. Real, lasting deep change takes time. I feel so frustrated a lot of times when I’m not seeing myself change or grow as fast as I’d want or the circumstances around me constantly feel stuck in a loop. I’m really here to encourage myself not to lose hope. Hopefully you are encouraged, too. Let’s remember the plant that starts off as a tiny seed. And persevere. Persevere, dear friend. 

And true, lasting change (the good kind) in our lives can only happen through the power of the gospel working in and through us. If you want to be a better person and simply try to do it apart from Christ, it won’t work. Christ is not here to make bad people better. He wants to make dead people live. I myself, even though a Christian, need to constantly remember that for myself and for others when I feel like the deep kind of growth I want is taking all too long. Dear reader, there is still hope. Endure. Talk to someone. Pray. Seek help. May God carry us through. Life is hard. But we can make it through by Jesus’ grace.