As the spring semester is coming to a close and many Charis Bible College students are nearing graduation, I’m reminded of something Andrew said earlier this year during a live-stream chapel: the goal of Charis is to produce ministers who will succeed. Andrew is not in the business of sending out just anyone. He knows unprepared ministers can quickly get burned-out and quit. Success in your calling requires patience, diligence, and renewal by the Word to find the next step God has in store for you.
Many in our “right now” generation tend to look for the quickest way to get what they want. We were raised watching overnight successes and taught ideas like how anyone can start a business overnight or buy a plane ticket and “just go.” But how long will that self-drive and ambition last? Can your passion and excitement really keep you going? When there isn’t time sown into building your foundation, you and what was produced through you can waste away very quickly.
We all want to succeed and build something great—to leave a legacy or impact a generation. And that’s good; it’s a desire from God! But it comes from first persevering and maturing in relationship with Him.
Proverbs 16:32 says, “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city” (New International Version).
When determining which path to take or which school to go to, the world usually tells us, “Now’s the time. Just go! Just do it!” And in Christian circles, men and women of God are often portrayed as warriors, taking on challenges without any hesitation. But wait. Doesn’t this verse say that patience is more valuable than vigor? That harnessing your emotions is better than “going crazy” for God?
Proverbs shows that taking time to seek Him will change you and mature you from the inside out and produce lasting fruit. God’s kind of success is better than any quick fix the world can offer. We can’t let our zeal get the best of us. Proverbs 19:2 warns us that “Desire without knowledge is not good—how much more will hasty feet miss the way!” (NIV).
Our culture puts all the focus on zeal and desire, producing a “get everything instantly” mentality. With declarations like “Stop wishing, and make it happen! Chase after your dreams! Don’t wait. Follow your heart!” it’s no wonder we have people running off, unprepared, overwhelmed, and confused.
You might feel ready to just go. To be the next star. Drop everything and move. And you might feel the passion overwhelming you to the point of restlessness. But remember this: There’s knowledge to be found. There’s the Word to renew you. There is communion and relationship with the Father to complete you. It doesn’t matter if it takes two months or two years; God will get you to where He’s called you. Trust in His steps. He will cultivate you as you cultivate your vision.
The book of Proverbs can provide you with so much on wisdom, knowledge, and walking with God. Get Andrew’s new teaching, Proverbs: Timeless Wisdom for a Life of Blessing, and let it help you prepare for what’s next in your journey with God.
And congratulations to all 2018 Charis graduates around the world! We’re excited for you and believing with you that the foundation you’ve established by sowing the Word into your hearts will produce success wherever your next step takes you!
