Can you agree with me that sometimes we tend to overlook things as we go through the motions of life? My own vocabulary goes something like this—trucking over, bulldozing my way through stuff like Taz from the Looney Tunes. Yes, it sounds rather dramatic, but I realize that sometimes I do exactly that. I don’t just “overlook” things, I go so fast and gritty that noticing things of probable consequence was basically implausible when I’m being both a defensive tackle and The Flash at the same time. (Except Barry Allen was saving people when he zips around the neighborhood). And yes, I realize, much repentance must follow after; when going fast, and striving in doing so, was actually going way ahead of God.
Here’s the thing; the Holy Spirit would never let me off the hook when it comes to sounding “alerts” (or bell tolls, if you prefer, whatever your fancy) to things that He sovereignly knows about that could end up ensnaring me and messing up my mind and soul. I love that about the Holy Spirit. He’s faithful to convict, teach, and guide us to stay on track. What I don’t love, is when I ignore Him, and ignore Him, and keep ignoring Him, and so there I go again, bulldozing my way through stuff. And the results? Stuff end up bulldozing me.
Can you relate?
Here’s another thing; being fast—and being ahead—isn’t necessarily always a bad thing. Here are a few examples:
“Listen! My beloved! Look! Here he comes leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag…” — Song of Solomon 2:8-9
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help.” — Psalm 46:1
“And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you, nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” — Deuteronomy 31:8
There is A LOT of HOPE—more than we can measure—in the promises above, knowing that His Word is faithful and true; has never failed and won’t start to, or will ever, fail. So when stuff do end up bulldozing us because of our own making, God and His grace is available to be our very present help… simply because He’s just a very, very, very good Father and He delights in showing mercy (Micah 7:18).
Though the scriptures above can describe that being swift, hasty, and ahead can be a good thing, it is just bad when in being so, we miss God and what He’s called us to. The definition of sin is actually to miss the mark and we know that sin is bad. So bad, that the perfect Son of God had to sacrifice His own life to destroy it so we can be without, and through faith become God’s righteousness in Christ instead! (2 Corinthians 5:21) What a glorious sacrifice! And there is a glorious response that we can offer to that sacrifice.
You may have heard of a worship leader named Brooke Ligertwood, née Fraser, one of the most prolific songwriters in this generation that capture the heart of God and what it means to respond to Him through words and melody. She wrote the song None But Jesus a number of years ago. A very beautiful song. Some parts of it are phrased:
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do your will
When you call I won’t delay
This my song through all my days
What a breathtaking, wondrous, and loving response that we can give to God! As He hastens, bounding over to us, and even go before us, we can hasten to Him when He calls. Without delay, and without fear and doubt. Yes, without doubt, because doubt is probably reminding you right now how much you’ve failed in the past of not delaying to God’s call. But to that I speak GRACE! And I would remind myself and you of what the Sons of Korah proclaimed thousands of years ago; that God is our refuge and strength, our very present help in trouble. He will help us to love Him just as He loves us,
Swiftly and presently.
Rebecca Ticoalu serves as the director of Wellsprings Creative, the worship creative ministry of Jesus Reigns International and Abundant Grace Christian Church located in NJ. She is the founder of LOVE OUT LOUD, a love movement fighting against slavery and poverty through artistic and creative expressions.
