...racing against horses...

We live in this crazy world that expects so much from us. We live in a culture of now, noW, NOW! In our jobs, in our churches, in our homes, we're looking for quick fixes to everything.

In our jobs, what can I do today that will increase my sales?
In our churches, what new program can I start to increase the number of butts in the pews?
In our homes, what can I do to make sure my kid is just as successful in soccer as yours?

Maybe it's about the long game. Maybe it's about slowing down and knowing people, or sitting in our discomfort and awkward silences. Maybe it's about letting ourselves be bored.

And I'm not talking about plopping down in front of a TV and zoning out. That is still too much work.

In his complaint to God, Jeremiah cries out in anguish after Judah broke its covenant with God?
    
    But I still have questions about your justice.
    Why do guilty persons enjoy success?
    Why are evildoers so happy? (Jeremiah 12:1b)

He's pleading with the Lord, what can I do? I am tired, they seek me out, they persecute me because I want them to turn their hearts back to you! And you God, you! You are far from me. You've abandoned me.

And God answers directly, but with encouragement and compassion:

If you have raced with people and are worn out,
    how will you compete with horses? (Jeremiah 12:5)



Why Jeremiah? Why must the results be instantaneous? Stop, look around - their (Judeans) brokenness took time to happen. Even their demise did not happen overnight. They turned their backs on me, their God - the ONE who brought them out of Egypt. All of this is their doing, not mine. But I won't stop it from happening!

But here's the Good News God delivers:
   "I will again have compassion on them and restore their inheritance and their land." (Jeremiah 12:15b)

 God looks to the future - and not just the immediate future - God is in the long game.

Maybe we should be too. Yeah, life is short, but we trust in God to get us there.