Trust the Slow Work of God, written by Teilhard de Chardin, is a challenging quote, but one that I repeat often. This year especially its words call to me. Sometime “borrowing” a prayer, written by someone else, expresses what your heart is trying to say but can’t find the words. This one encourages me and I hope it encourages you too to keep trusting.
“Above all, trust in the slow work of God.
We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay.
We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way
to something unknown, something new.
And yet it is the law of all progress, that it is made by passing through some stages of instability, and that it may take a very long time.
And so I think it is with you
Your ideas mature gradually. Let them grow.
Let them shape themselves, without undue haste.
Don’t try to force them on as though you could be today what time (that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good) will make you tomorrow.
Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be.
Give our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete.”
Above all – reminds me this is important, possibly the most important wisdom to remember.
Trust – I have no idea what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future. I don’t fully understand but I wait expectedly. My impatient ego tries to control, manage the journey ahead but that is not my job, it’s God’s. My work is to abide in faith. The least I can do is to “give our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading me.”
Slow – Not my speed of rushing to shallow answers and getting it done and wrapped up neatly with a bow. God’s timing. God’s leaven for fully raised bread of life. The unfolding of what’s ahead crawls without me knowing or directing the action. The Creator knows.
Work of God – It’s God’s work. I am God’s work. This life is God’s work. You are God’s work. We belong. We are seen. We are loved.
Above all, trust in the slow work of God.
What do these words stir up within your heart?
Thank you, Jean, for sharing this meaningful prayer. De Chardin’s closing words spoke to my spirit: “Accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete.” Sometimes we’re SUPPOSED to feel uncomfortable, uncertain, and unbalanced. Those are the times God often uses to develop our faith, strength, and perseverance. Also, I like de Chardin’s use of the words “suspense” and “incomplete.” They hint at the hope of resolution and fulfillment one day!
you are so write about being uncomfortable. We think we shouldn’t be but often that is fertile ground to learn and grow.
The “slow” part is indeed so troubling at times. I want God to speed things up when times are hard, and to slow things down when I like them just as they are. Learning to trust his speed is important spiritual work.
I soooo want God to do things on my time table and done quickly That word slow would be a good word of the year!!
This is a needful reminder, Jean, in this world where we’ve come to demand everything right now, this very minute.
How true that God moves in mysterious ways. And sometimes slow is exactly what we need. He knows.
I hope you’re having a truly lovely weekend, friend …
Isn’t that a wonderful and challenging prayer! I know it is one that keep returning too. Slow learner, HA!
I remember seeing my father reading the works of de Chardin, and what you’ve quoted here, Jean, just moves me to want to get this Christian author better. God may work slowly, at least in our limited perception, but we need to remember He is always at work.
Blessings, Jean!
Youre right… thank you for the reminder…Hes always at work..
What a neat memory. and maybe an invitation for you!!
Slow work of God….normally i can make sense of that…and has been the case thru out…most everything evolves slowly…but at 77yr ..whatever He has mind ..has to get on with it or it aint gonna happen…so ..this limited time left doesnt seem to match up with Gods slowness…sure is a ponderment…
Thank you jean…..Peace
Your comment makes me smile and yet sad too. It is very difficult to wait isn’t it? Trust is the only way to be.