14 Dec 2006
WE CAN LEARN FROM THE TORTOISE!
We live in an age that wants instant results. If we don't get what we want now, we are often upset. Ours is an instant coffee, tea, potato, burger type fast food life we live, it is very much a push-button society that is turned off by delays and obstructions. We tend to want our coffee and our answers right now.
For a comparison, let's look back at the story of the tortoise and the hare. The hare always stands out as the favorite because he is fast, speedy and sure of himself. He appeals to us because he is a shaker and mover.
The turtle, on the other hand, is slow and a plodder, he has no "pizzazz"; in fact he appears to be kind of dull.
However, we must always remember the outcome of the race between the tortoise and the hare. The tortoise won the race while the hare never finished.
Paul the apostle said for us to run the race with patience.
Heb. 12:1 Living Bible "Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us."
Paul pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling; of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil. 3:14 Living Bible "I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us."
To strain means not only to be aggressive, but to be consistent, constant and to have a "longevity mind-set."
First, we bear fruit; then as we continue in what we have learned, we bear more fruit. If we consistently stay with it, we bear more fruit.
John 15:1 KJV " I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
We certainly don't make light of enthusiasm, because enthusiasm when translated is two words en and theo which means full of God. However in this study I am telling you it's the long haul that counts. Sooner or later faithfulness and consistency produce fruit that remains.
*1 Remember not to compare yourself with others.
*2 Don't be overly impressed with the shakers and movers.
*3 Faithfully and consistently plan your work and work your plan. Make sure it is God's plan.
*4 Meditate the Word and don't let it depart. out of your mouth.
*5 Continue in the things you have learned you never outgrow the basics.
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