Not The Boss Of UsSample

Day Seven

Enjoying the Process

Scripture: Psalm 23

If God is involved in the answer to Life’s Overwhelmed—as I found myself convinced and saying out loud that day so many years ago when I quit buying into the world’s messaging that had led to an eating disorder—then I’d like to know him better, to understand him on a deeper level so that trust becomes my go-to rather than the trappings of this world. 

The Bible records the story of people who lived on this planet and dealt with the same things we deal with today, just wrapped in different packaging. It can be easy to lose sight of the countless years of simply regular mundane life that pass from Genesis to Revelation—many of those years were full of very regular mundane. For example, before facing the giant Goliath in an epic battle during the eleventh century BC, David spent years tending sheep—far from glamour. But did that process ever pay off? While tending sheep, vigilantly guarding the group day after day and year after year, David honed his skill using a sling. 

David practiced in those long hours caring for and protecting his family’s flock while his older brothers were off at war. Clearly he didn’t shy away from the tedium of the process but used time and process to gain expertise. He didn’t take shortcuts or become distracted by what his brothers were doing—engaging in a much worthier effort, according to societal standards of his day—but rather David stayed his course. How could he have known that all he learned while embracing his lot would be utilized at a later date to lead a band of warriors and his shepherding skills to lead a kingdom? 

We won’t always know which is the right path to follow. Regardless, we put one foot in front of the other, weighing out the decisions and actions that line the path, eyes anchored on Truth rather than on culture’s shifting ways and standards. 

Why not remember—in the midst of college acceptances/rejections, party invitations or lack thereof, pregnancies or miscarriages, job offers or cuts, diagnoses, and so much more—to consider the bigger picture and to trust? Maybe then we can enjoy the process rather than make it about the product—and in turn, have peace. 

What would it look like for you to enjoy the process rather than make it about the product today?