I was reading the other day when I came across a quote from a pastor of a church called Elevation Church. Steven Furtick said this “Between the promise and the payoff is the process, and the process is the point.” I don’t now about you but I love it when I hear about the promises of God or think about the end result of whatever I am doing and how great it is going to be. I have found that in the past I have not really been a big fan of the process. The process is the place where the rubber meets the road. It is where the friction of life happens, where all the ruff spots get sanded down until they are smooth. The process is typically the painful part of any endeavor in life but at the same point probably the most important aspect.
I think about the season of life that I am in right now. God has called Shayla and I to the most amazing call in my opinion, to help build His church by starting Coastal Community Church in Ft. Lauderdale. The promise of God building His church is something that I stand on all time and get pumped up about in life. Then when I think about the payoff of peoples lives being transformed, lost people being found, hurting finding hope, broken being fixed and fearful finding faith it is energizing. The thing about both of those areas, the promise and the payoff is that they are not seen on a daily basis unless you really look for them. Most of the time, all you see is the process. The process can be the most trying, complicated, confusing and frustrating thing you ever face, but I think this is the place where true growth and faith takes place. I found for myself that I don’t grow in the promise or payoff stage of life but when I am in the process. I really believe that is where God wants each one of us in life, in the process. That is where we are refined, shaped and molded to be more like Jesus. So many times in the process we give up because it is to hard or painful. Here is the thing that I found to be true in my life, I only change when there is pain or pleasure. When the process is painful enough, I will make change. Whether that is not relying on my own strength but Gods or finally breaking down my pride and submitting to what He wants. We need the fire of adversity to test the strength of our faith.
Where are you at today in the process?
Are you allowing God to refine you or are you giving up in the process?
What have you given up on that you need to go back to?
Let’s value the process as much as the promise. I pray today that God would open our eyes to see that the process is really the point that He is trying to make in our lives not just the promise and payoff.
I am glad I took the time to read this TJ. We are definately in “the process” right now and it is difficult. Thank you for helping to keep things in perspective.
Thank you TJ for the insight. I want to share that I have been in the “painful process” for a while. I finally surrendered it to Jesus. Almost immediately I saw the promise and the payoff. That blessing was so awesome and encouraging, I know now that God was in the midst of it all.
Hey T.J. I wanted to share some words of encouragement with you all today, Thanks for your words of faith… and what you are going through to stay true to the call. I’ve been going through a hard process as well, and I too agree there is a promise and vision. I wanted to share with you, Shayla and the team at Coastal Community Church the Prayer I’m praying for you all. The bible passage comes from; Deuteronomy 28:1-6, 11-13. Dear Heavenly Father, You tell us this will come to pass, If… we listen diligently to your voice, when we observe in your word what you are commanding us to do TODAY. You will set T,J, Shayla, and all the team at Coastal Community Church on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on Coastal Community Church, and over take them…All they have to do is spend time with you, real time… you and the church body at Coastal Community Church sitting at your feet, listening to your words. You will bless them in their city, and in their country. You will bless their body and everything they touch. You will keep their pantry full, you will bless their comings and goings. You will command your blessings upon Coastal Community Church and everything they set their hands unto; and you will bless them in the land which you have given them. I love you guys !! Diana