The first and perhaps obvious conclusion from my thesis research was simply this: life transformation takes time, you cannot get around this. I wrote about the idea of time a few months back, and yet I believe it bears maintaining it in the forefront, if not for your sake then for mine.

Now before you role you eyes at me for stating the obvious, take stalk of your own learning experiences: how many seminars have you attended, at church or work, where the learning truly took hold and you changed? How many messages have you listened to that intrigued you and yet when the next week’s message came you hadn’t made any changes? How many times do you offer to go for coffee with a friend to try and help them solve a problem and you wonder why they don’t just make the changes you suggest?

The process of life change takes times, lots of time. The commitment to help someone begin the journey of discipleship is also long – one meeting won’t do it. A weekend seminar won’t make it happen.

I need to continually remind myself that everyone is on a journey, that many if not most lessons are hard fought as our own self-reliance, pride and ego get in the way of absorbing and implementing whatever life-change God has for us.

I catch myself often wanting those I am working with to just “get it,” to catch up to me in what I am learning, only to have one of the guys I’m with make a significant life change decision that I realize I have yet to fully grasp – maybe I need to catch up to them.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:44-46)

How much time does it take for someone to be so enamored with the Kingdom of Heaven that they will do whatever it takes to be fully part of it? Oh I realize that many people have epiphanies during a service or at an event and they leave with a conviction that they are going to give their life to God, only to have life hit them in the face on Monday morning at work and it dwindles away. In no way do I want to question their experience, yet it takes time to build a foundation under that revelation for it to be life changing.

I am learning patience as I work with others. I am learning to enjoy watching the process. It is exciting when a light goes on and someone realizes the impact of a scripture verse, or makes a significant commitment to their marriage, or makes a hard decision at work that is truly kingdom inspired.

I know that I want to embrace the enjoyment of time. Jesus spent close to three years with his core disciples, day in and day out. Interestingly, when he left them, they didn’t think that they were ready, but he knew they were. Besides, he was leaving them with the Holy Spirit.

As you embrace the journey of discipleship, as you spend time with those you are leading, enjoy the journey, take the time, after all, God is still working on you.