Faith and Glory

I was driving to New York last week when I heard this on a Tim Keller podcast:

His purposes will ripen fast

Unfolding every hour

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flower.

You fearful saints, fresh courage take!

The clouds you so much dread, 

Are big with mercy - and shall break -

With blessings on your head.

I think this poem describes exactly how God works. A year ago from today I had nothing in my life figured out. I was a recent college grad, waitressing, wandering around my house every day in sweatpants, trying to take my creative work seriously. Everything in me wanted to quit, but I kept feeling that gentle nudge, "Keep going, it's worth it." 

...His purposes will ripen fast

Unfolding every hour...

Fast forward 8 months and I pinch myself every day, wondering how I got so lucky - not just with more work than I can't keep up with, but with new friendships, fresh creativity, travel opportunities, and seriously magical experiences. It struck me while I was working at the Ace Hotel the other day. I'm starting to live out my dream - creating epiphany moments and moving people's hearts to care about things that matter. 

I'm realizing this is how God works: you trust Him fully, he gives you everything and more. The lie we always believe - and the thief of joy - is exactly the opposite: if you follow Him, he's going to withhold from you what you really want. I think the reason why this lie works on us so well is because there is an element of truth in it. Obedience usually requires some level of sacrifice, and it usually feels awful, but it's always the best thing for us. 

...The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flower...

When we step out in faith and do the hard thing, God brings us out into glory, then we step out in faith again, and he brings us even deeper into that glory. Faith and glory are inextricably tied. 

Jessi is the best at this. She has the kind of faith that makes her believe God's future promises are true in the present moment. She's always bringing everyone around her on board to risk and trust with her, and it's amazing to get to be a part of it. 

We almost have to bulldoze blindly through the confusion until we eventually arrive out in a clearing where we see why all of the fog, mud tracks, and road blocks were necessary. The resistance drives us to a place of full dependence on God, makes us people of character, and stamps a spirit of thankfulness onto our bones - all of which are profoundly more important than any tangible blessing we could receive in this life. It also makes for a better story. 

After seeing God work this way so many times, I honestly get a little excited when things get difficult, because I know it can only lead to bigger and brighter seasons of fullness. 

...Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take!

the clouds ye so much dread, 

Are big with mercy - and shall break -

With blessings on your head.