by Steve Gallagher

I’ll get right to the point—I know you’re in a hurry!

A recent AP poll revealed that the average length of time Americans are willing to wait in line at a store before getting frustrated is 17 minutes. It’s worse for phone callers sitting on hold, taking them only 9 minutes before irritation sets in. 

This impatience is also seen in our eating habits where the success of “fast food” restaurants has revealed our willingness to forgo quality in favor of speed. And TV programming experts say that the scene must change on the screen every three seconds, or people will become bored and change the channel! Even the more static nature of the Internet is rapidly morphing into a virtual world where the mind must constantly be stimulated with high-speed downloads, scrolling text, and flashing icons.

The prophet Daniel certainly saw franticness as one of the prevailing characteristics of the end times when he wrote that, “many shall run (Heb. shut: rushing around) to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12:4) Sound familiar?

It should go without saying that the flesh thrives in such a fast-paced environment. Interestingly, the third and fourth “fruits of the Spirit” cited in Galatians 5 are peace and patience (listed ahead of such qualities as kindness, goodness, faithfulness, etc.). The writer of Hebrews pointedly wrote: “Ye have need of patience...” (Hebrews 10:36) If this is a necessary admonishment for the average believer, how much more does today’s stressed out pastor need to take heed?

Truth be told, we have lost the ability (maybe even desire) to quiet ourselves before God and to truly hear His voice. It was the solitude found in the vast wastelands of the wilderness (a place of excruciating boredom to modern believers) that produced God-filled men like Moses, David and Paul. Even as recently as a hundred years ago, pastors understood that divine impartation came as they sat still and tarried before the Lord.

While some pastors, authors and broadcasters rack up head-turning numbers through their frantic activities, the wise minister understands that eternal spiritual fruit comes only through abiding in Christ: “…for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

I understand the constant temptation to rely upon my own efforts in ministry. Fortunately, a number of years ago the Lord reproved me for my self-reliance. “Instead of wasting a lot of effort trying to scratch out some success for yourself, why don’t you sit at My feet, wait upon Me, hear My voice and get in the flow of what I am doing?” This word was confirmed later through the words of the prophet, “You have sown much, but harvest little… You look for much, but behold, it comes to little.” (Haggai 1:6, 9)

It is easy to work…but hard to pray. Surfing the internet is effortless…while meditating on Scripture can seem tedious. It is natural to rely upon my own reasoning…but goes against my nature to wait for God’s leading. It is pleasurable to watch television…but so difficult to sit in silence.

The fact is: I fail at this battle regularly. And yet I must remain committed to fighting it. The unseen rewards make the struggle worth it… while the alternative is unthinkable.

Editor’s Note:

Steve Gallagher has been around a long time.  That’s a very nice way of saying that he’s kind of old.  But, being “kind of old” isn’t all that bad.  He’s fully earned all those gray hairs and he’s lugging around some wonderful wisdom that he is eager to pass along to all of us bravehearted upstarts.  Steve, when he’s not spending his time writing for this blog, is the president of Pure Life Ministries in Dry Ridge, Kentucky.  He’s a prolific writer, authoring over twelve books.  In fact, if you closely examine his popular book, Intoxicated with Babylon, you will notice that the above blog sounds strangely similar to a chapter in that book.  So, just in case you were starting to get impressed with how much this guy can write, just remember that all his content just might be self-plagiarized.  I guess you could call that a secret writing trick for all those that are “kind of old.”  I’m guessing everyone knows that I’m only joking.  I love this guy and I love the stuff he brings to the table.  Kudos, Steve!  Keep the good stuff coming!

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