Ann Lamott says important change comes to us like this: barely, poorly, slowly. She insists God still “raises His fist in triumph.” This is gospel level good news. After the news that Jesus paid for our sins with His life and after the news He won’t leave us slaving hopelessly under sin’s tyranny, we hear this crowning goodness: God is proud of your progress, even when you are sure you’re slower than molasses. The One cheering you on is God.
Sometimes I fear God is the yelling type, letting me know what I did wrong and the reasons I should’ve known better. I worry They’re disgusted at worst and eye-rolling at best. Satan loves when I think this because it keeps me hiding like Adam and Eve. But the Bible is clear on this, The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. (Ps. 145:8 NIV) In Zephania 3:17, there’s this promise: He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
The One cheering you on is God.
You know how small kids run to their parents when they haven’t seen them for a couple hours? If we could see God and all the love shining in Their eyes, we’d run to Them too. We’d never feel like hiding. Even when we’d just face-planted into the sin we thought we’d put behind us, we’d turn to Them for comfort. They’re ready to hold us and let us cry and never say something cheeky like, “What were you thinking?” Nope. They’re watching redemption happen in us and our zig-zaggy path is where They promise to be, beaming about how far we’ve come.
