113 Hebrews 11:1,6 Delayed Gratification
JMD Devotional 113 Hebrews 11:1,6 Delayed Gratification
There is a game parents play with infants in which they hide their face behind a blanket and at random intervals the barrier is pulled away and they say, “peek-a-boo!” The delay is essential to build the tension of expectation in the child; they know mom or dad was present, but now they can’t see them so there is margin for doubt. The game progresses as the child develops; in the earliest months the parent does it all, controlling the blanket and the game; but as the child matures, they reach out and tug at the blanket and pull it away in expectation of seeing the adult. Children who are not given that kind of attention develop slower, if at all. Many other faith games play out as the child becomes a toddler, in the form of duty, reward and punishment. More and more is required of the child. Putting toys away, taking naps at the appropriate time, eating one’s vegetables require doing something in the present that is not immediately gratifying but will contribute to future well-being. The delays and the stakes increase evermore on the path to adult maturity. Faith is a loving and serious ‘game’ of delayed gratification that God plays with us for our own good. It always has the elements of a test. No parent keeps score on this kind of interaction; they don’t dwell on past failures, they are just looking for progress and maturity knowing that the test is a tool, not the object. Ultimately, we are not trained like dogs to do a trick for a treat; but we are Sons and Daughters of God who do what is right for righteousness’ sake alone, to please our Father. Our Christ-like maturity IS THE OBJECT, and in the end it will be glorious!
NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]… But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].
Dear God,
How I’ve made the process of maturity harder by focusing on my scores and failures, trying to second-guess and short-cut your program, and evading your testing all together in shame. It takes so long to figure out that You are GOOD, just like your Word says, that You can be trusted, that it is safe for You to be in charge. I confess I’m a dunce! Thank You for being patience with my slow learning; and please keep me going forward according to your plan.
Amen
All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)
If you know of someone who would like to subscribe to
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(Some) of my Devotionals
http://recoverydevotional.blogspot.com/
There is a game parents play with infants in which they hide their face behind a blanket and at random intervals the barrier is pulled away and they say, “peek-a-boo!” The delay is essential to build the tension of expectation in the child; they know mom or dad was present, but now they can’t see them so there is margin for doubt. The game progresses as the child develops; in the earliest months the parent does it all, controlling the blanket and the game; but as the child matures, they reach out and tug at the blanket and pull it away in expectation of seeing the adult. Children who are not given that kind of attention develop slower, if at all. Many other faith games play out as the child becomes a toddler, in the form of duty, reward and punishment. More and more is required of the child. Putting toys away, taking naps at the appropriate time, eating one’s vegetables require doing something in the present that is not immediately gratifying but will contribute to future well-being. The delays and the stakes increase evermore on the path to adult maturity. Faith is a loving and serious ‘game’ of delayed gratification that God plays with us for our own good. It always has the elements of a test. No parent keeps score on this kind of interaction; they don’t dwell on past failures, they are just looking for progress and maturity knowing that the test is a tool, not the object. Ultimately, we are not trained like dogs to do a trick for a treat; but we are Sons and Daughters of God who do what is right for righteousness’ sake alone, to please our Father. Our Christ-like maturity IS THE OBJECT, and in the end it will be glorious!
NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]… But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].
Dear God,
How I’ve made the process of maturity harder by focusing on my scores and failures, trying to second-guess and short-cut your program, and evading your testing all together in shame. It takes so long to figure out that You are GOOD, just like your Word says, that You can be trusted, that it is safe for You to be in charge. I confess I’m a dunce! Thank You for being patience with my slow learning; and please keep me going forward according to your plan.
Amen
All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)
If you know of someone who would like to subscribe to
my daily devotional, please forward.
jamesdinsmore_32907@yahoo.com
Short, concise, thought-provoking.
More features:
My Poetry
http://saintjamespoetry.blog.com/
(Some) of my Devotionals
http://recoverydevotional.blogspot.com/
posted by James M. Dinsmore at 6:42 PM
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