Great things learned in times of quietness
You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:17-18
From the text, the Apostle Peter was encouraging the believers in Asia Minor. They were going through tremendous persecution because of their faith. So Peter reminded them of the future God prepared for those that trusted His as their Lord and Savior. What they are going through was nothing compared to the glory God has for them. There will be times in our life that we feel we are stagnating in our spiritual growth. This happens especially when we do not understand what God is doing. The moment you trusted God, you are excited about growing in your relationship with Him. You are eager to know His will for your life. But then comes the time when you feel that you are standing still spiritually. This moment could lead to a great discovery especially when you allow God to speak in the quietness of your heart. This can happen even when you are wondering if God is still in control. There is no period in your life that God is not aware of what you are facing. Instead of feeling down let Him does His perfect work in your life. “Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10). We need moments of spiritual rest where we allow Him to refresh us with His Spirit and His word. Spend some time of quiet moments and let Him walk you through even in the midst of the circumstances you are facing. God wants you to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” The spiritual growth could take place not in drowning yourself with activities but in times of stillness where you think about God’s faithfulness and the richness of His love. Life will be replete with circumstances that could prevent us to find solitude and time with God. But just like what Paul said, it will be during these times of challenges that God’s presence is more felt. “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). God wants us to always abide in Him for when we abide, we find comfort, and when we find comfort, we experience great peace. “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Blessings,