Tripping Over Typeset

Have you ever had those times when you wish things would move faster?

• Final days of pregnancy
• Closing date on your home
• The countdown to saying, “I do”

Yet when that time comes not only do we feel complete joy and relief we find a whole new set of situations to face.

We think the arrival is the destination but it’s really the start to a new beginning. 

This reminds me of the Jewish people after they were captive in Babylon for 70 years.  They were finally returning to their home, Israel. In their minds they were returning to all they knew as good. It was home! And their memories painted pictures not quite true of the reality they faced.

When they arrived at their destination they were discouraged. Things were different and destroyed. It wasn’t what they imagined nor what they remembered.

How many of us have faced those same kinds of situations?

We imagine our situation a certain way but when we arrive at that place, it’s not what we imagined. We are faced with a reality that doesn’t match up with our expectations. We are discouraged, disgruntled and a bit annoyed that what we thought would be terrific turns out to be terrible.

This is what the Jewish people faced. The temple was destroyed, the walls were torn down and what they thought was going to be a quick fix turned into years of repairing and rebuilding.

Even their leader, Zerubbabel, was discouraged. God sent a message to his prophet Zechariah encouraging Zerubbabel:

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. ~ Zechariah 4:6

Zerubbabel was discouraged by all the work he and the people had already put in. Little progress was made when looking at what still needed to be done.

We can feel that same way. Overwhelmed by the task before us and feeling like we are nowhere near where we want to be in life.

This is where God encourages His people again:

The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.

Who dares despise the day of small things…?” ~ Zechariah 4:9-10

In other words, God is reminding His people and us that what He begins, He finishes.

And the next part I love… don’t despise the day of small things!

We sometimes look at our situations and think,

• This is moving too slow!
• This job position… this calling… this ministry… this business…. this relationship… (you fill in your blank…) it’s not growing fast enough!

And God answers us with….

• Don’t despise where I have you.
• Don’t despise the slow start you think you have.
• Don’t be overwhelmed by the task you see ahead.

Instead, He reminds us it’s through His working, His timing and His way that we will get where we need to be.

Don’t despise where He has you; instead keep at it.

Keep building. Keep working. Keep on keeping on and He will complete what He began.

Be encouraged, friends!

~Rachel