We live in a society in which people want things to happen immediately. Some called the past decades “the culture of instant gratification.”

• The bumper sticker declares it: “I Want It All and I Want It Now.”
• Our economy reflects it: Easy credit, no down payment, instant pleasure.
• The workplace teaches it: One-minute managers, quick ROIs.
• Our spiritual lives expect it: Seven-minute devotions, miracles on demand.

Don’t misunderstand me. Some of these things are fine in their places. However, all too often, they are simply attempts to short-cut a necessary process. Some things take time and effort—especially the most important things in life. One of those, according to the Apostle Peter, is our walk with God. Peter began his first letter telling us that when we follow Jesus, we are “born again into a living hope.” In other words, a new life with God begins. But, like any birth experience, we start as infants. There is a lot of growing to do.

This weekend, we will consider Peter’s words about becoming strong in our faith. I pray that his words will be an encouragement to the many people who ask me “Why is it taking me so long to live the way I know God wants me to live?” We will see that there is indeed a one-time experience that sets us on a journey toward becoming what God made us to be. However, we will also see that the great adventure is that the completion of God’s work in us does not happen instantaneously.

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good (1 Peter 2:2–3).

To His Glory,

Dr. Greg Waybright
Senior Pastor