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Faith Isn’t Sci-Fi: Change Takes Time

By Bonnie Gray • September 30, 2009 • 15 Comments

I am a Sci-Fi fan.

Although I’ll admit to taking a day off work to stand in line for eight hours at the premier of Star Wars I: Phantom Menace back in 1999 (Not worth it, by the way. The original Star Wars Trilogy rules!), I do not consider myself a Sci-Fi nut.

Still, I hardly blink an eye watching episodes of Star Trek or Battlestar Galactica. It’d be pretty tough for you to pry the remote out of my hand at that point.  

Science fiction tales are mesmerizing because they transport us to another place in time where the human character, beautiful and flawed, makes it’s way into an imaginary world.

The faith walk is similar to a Sci-Fi tale in some respects. We are human in nature, but spiritual in essence. Our true selves were designed in the heavenly realms, yet our birthright has been stolen by an enemy.

Once reborn in Christ, we become new beings in age-old fleshly frailties.  Our journey to a better world is shrouded in mysterious adventures and hidden dangers. Along the way, sojourning sages offer secrets to living out our true identities as God’s new creations.

There is one feature, however, that is staple Sci-Fi gear which does not exist in faith walking:  Faster-Than-Light (FTL) travel.

No FTL Faith Drives

Whatever hyperspace drive is selected, whether it’s Captain Kirk calling for “Warp speed!” or the Battlestar Galactica jumping from Cylons with the FTL drive, we do not have the luxury of microwaving our spiritual growth.

You’d think from reading some headlines today that such a thing actually exists:  Kick Old Habits Out To The Curb in 30 Days, Be The New You in a Week, or how about Achieve Your Dreams By Doing A, B, and C?

Maybe that is why God chose a time-honoring skill like carpentry as his earthly occupation.  God enjoys crafting something of value, working with His hands.

Not only that, God selected a historical time period when farming and agriculture easily became spiritual metaphors in writing His Storyline.

These faith walking metaphors hit me like a ton of bricks, when I recently decided to make some new changes.

I called for a showdown with worryaholism and perfectionism, and ended up facing my spiritual Goliaths.

How could I stand a chance?

In response, God made sure I understood the price of admission to newness:  operating by the law of the harvest.

Law of the Harvest

1.  Change is going to develop — over time. Even at the risk of weariness.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galations 6:9

2.  I will reap a harvest, regardless of my feeble attempts or slow progress, if I continue to sow.

“This is what the kingdom of God is like.

A man scatters seed on the ground.

Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how…

As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4:26-32

3.  My focus is to plant and water, leaving the growth to God.

“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ”  1 Corinthians 3:7

4.  The seeds I sow may be invisible, but the rewards I reap will be plentiful.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

As we faithfully sow and wait for newness to bear fruit, be careful to avoid reaching for the world’s hyperdrive jump to a “new” you.

The magazine racks may offer us Faster-Than-Light change, but it’s external cosmetics eventually wear out.

In contrast, the Carpenter promises true renewal, personally fashioning inner change that glows from a quality life within, that won’t fade over time.

And that’s no Sci-Fi, but a life giving truth.

“The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ” Galations 6:8

What encourages you to sow, even as you wait?

What changes are you wishing for renewal?


Today's post is Part 2 in a series titled, "What's New With You?", where I explore some new changes
God is pointing me towards.

Be sure to catch Part 1:  Never Too Late To Make Room For New

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15 Comments

  • Reply Bradley J. Moore September 30, 2009 at 3:24 am

    Oh boy, this is such a simple but profound concept that our culture has totally veered away from, since so few of us operate in an agricultural society any more. This reminder is going to help many people, I am sure. Especially in the online and I-phone world, where we expect everything so immediate. That’s what sells these days, right? The app? But God uses the slow-cooker. It’s a very strange dichotomy. Bottom line, we need to nurture our spiritual life while the rest of our life takes it course. At least I do, anyway.

    Thanks once again for a very thoughtful and insightful post!

  • Reply Heather Sunseri September 30, 2009 at 5:19 am

    As you wrote about our inability to grow in our faith at light speed, the image that popped in my head is how many today expect instant gratification for their work – the “Beam me up, Scottie” attitude.

    I love this post. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. We must be patient in our growth in the Lord. Thanks, Bonnie.

  • Reply Maureen September 30, 2009 at 7:12 am

    Love this! (and yes, I am also a HUGE Original Star Wars nut too!!) Sometimes I wish faith was more like hyperspeed, but you’re right….its a process. And a slow one sometimes as well. Patience is something I’ve been working on and dealing with for some time now, and this is a great reminder for me to remember it is a growth process.

  • Reply Russell Holloway September 30, 2009 at 9:37 am

    The Rolling Stones song, ‘Time Is On My Side’ comes to mind… Time is on His side . . . Yes it is…

  • Reply Kevin M. September 30, 2009 at 10:17 am

    Great thoughts Bonnie! If there was a hyper drive to spiritual growth we would miss out on SO MUCH GROWTH! God is about the journey AND the destination.

    *** I am also a die-hard sci-fi fan! 🙂

  • Reply Bridget Chumbley September 30, 2009 at 10:20 am

    Wow, Bonnie…I never pictured you as a Sci-Fi geek. LOL

    Great post…2Cor 9:6 really says it all…

  • Reply Anne Lang Bundy September 30, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    Rachelle Gardner blogged yesterday about patience. Now this. So I guess the message of staying hard at work while still waiting upon the Lord is one He really wants me to get through my thick skull? *sigh*

    Great, great package for the message, Bonnie.

  • Reply Peter P September 30, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    I love this.

    We are so much an instant gratification culture, and it’s so damaging to us, our faith and the gospel.

    I love Sci-fi too… and they so often come so close to real spiritual truths.

  • Reply Bonnie Gray September 30, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    @Bradley: “That’s what sells these days, right? The app? But God uses the slow-cooker.” That’s a good one, Bradley. I didn’t even think of the killer app analogy. You should blog that one!
    @Heather: “Many today expect instant gratification for their work – the “Beam me up, Scottie” attitude” Yep. That’s another good one, Heather. Thanks!
    @Maureen: “I wish faith was more like hyperspeed..” Me, too! Yeah, another original Star Wars Trilogy nut!
    @Russell: Hey, you have so many good songs that apply spiritually. You should look into blogging that as your niche!
    @Kevin: “God is about the journey AND the destination.” Wow, another quotable gem. No wonder you’re a blogging pastor! 😉 And wahoo! Another sci-fi fan in the house!
    @Bridget: Oh, shoot. Did we finally find out we’re not twins! LOL. 😉
    @Anne: Thanks for the pointer to Rachelle’s post. I’m going there to check it out after this. btw, my skulls pretty hard too 😉
    @Peter: Yes, I so agree – that it is damaging. I think it seeps in without people even realizing it. Such an earthly message that is farthest from the spiritual truth. .. And check — another sci-fi fan!

  • Reply Doug Spurling October 1, 2009 at 11:45 am

    Now you’re talking my language. I’ve spent so much of my life racing the sun.
    This past winter we stayed in a 50+ campground (although we weren’t quite old enough.)Those folks were never in a hurry but accomplished more than folks running around at warp speed. I learned how to live watching them.

    “And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word…” ~Jesus , Mark 14:13-14

    We must first understand the sowing process prior to understanding the rest.

    My “Dougisms” have become more meaningful; ” Take your time you’ll get there faster” and “If you don’t quit you win.” (Gal. 6:9)

    You’re on to something here. You take time to sow and then water with kind replies.

    I see a bountiful harvest on your horizon.

  • Reply jasonS October 2, 2009 at 11:59 am

    Great thoughts and reminders presented in a wonderful way! Thanks Bonnie…

  • Reply Bonnie Gray October 2, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    @Doug: “We must first understand the sowing process prior to understanding the rest.” It’s taken me a along time to actually start getting this in my DNA. Before it was more head knowledge that heart knowledge. As for your Dougisms, I’ve been tweeting them! Now, you’re on twitter, you’ll be swamped with followers! 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement!
    @ Jason: Great to have you here, Jason! 😉

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