Trusting The Process

Numbers 33:1 | These were the stages of the Israelites’ journey…

“Trust the process.”

Do I trust it? Do you?

In a culture that thrives on and feeds on immediacy, the process is difficult to appreciate. But it becomes even harder when we are called to trust it.

Jeremiah reminds us of this call to trust in God’s faithfulness when he wrote this in his book of lament, “It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord” (Lamentations 3:26, CSB). That word for “wait” in the Hebrew means to wait with hope, expecting and knowing full well that the Lord will come through. But to wait quietly? The only way that I can be quiet in the midst of my waiting, even in seasons of lament, is that I actually trust the Lord.

Paul reminded the Christians of Philippi of this in his letter to them. “I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:6, CSB). He was sure. He was certain. There was no doubt in his mind. And his certainty was directly connected to God finishing what he started.

The word epiteleo (”carry it on to completion”) has two parts. The first part of the word (epi) is a preposition that means “upon,” and the second part (teleo) means to finish or bring to an end. But epi also plays another part. It’s an intensifier that, when added to teleo, causes epiteleo to mean “to bring to full completion” or to “perfect thoroughly.”

So can you look back over your journey with the Lord and see his stages? Do you see him working out his process in you, transforming you in the likeness of Jesus? Have we learned to appreciate the process, trusting that God is faithful to finish his great work in us? Do we believe that he will thoroughly complete the work that he desires to complete in each of us, both individually and corporately?

Friends, God is faithful. God will always finish what he started. I know that it’s tempting for us to want everything done immediately. But the process is connected to our lifelong joy of walking with God. Let’s not get so lost in wanting to see the result as quickly as possible. Instead, let’s get lost in the wonder that comes with getting to journey with Jesus. And as we do, let’s stop and thank God that he is faithful in each stage that he leads us to and through.