God’s Change Takes Time

by Rick Warren — July 6, 2021
From Life's Healing Choices

“Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

Ephesians 4:24 (NLT)

When God helps you grow spiritually, he doesn’t just snap his fingers so that it happens instantly. He does it incrementally. When God wants to make a mushroom, he takes six hours, but when he wants to make an oak tree, he takes 60 years.

Do you want to be a mushroom or an oak tree?

The Holy Spirit will make changes in your life far beyond anything you thought possible, but it’s not going to happen overnight.

When Saddleback Church did our “Decade of Destiny,” this was my prayer: that—through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, and with support from our small groups—our church would become more mature, more Christlike, and further along in our purpose 10 years from that point.

My prayer is the same for you: that in the next decade, you will grow in spiritual maturity, Christlikeness, and purpose.

I want you to be stronger emotionally, physically, spiritually, psychologically, and financially, but you’ve got to be intentional about it. The Bible says, “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:24 NLT).

This is how we become more like Jesus. We throw off the old things and the old ways that keep us from getting to know Christ and becoming like him. And we put on our new selves with the help of the Holy Spirit. We let God do his work in us—no matter how long it takes.

The result? “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18 TLB).

Talk It Over

  • What “old things and old ways” do you need to throw off in order to get to know Christ more?
  • What are some practical ways you can “put on your new nature”?
  • How do you want God to work in your life? Pray, and ask him to help you trust him as he works in his time to fulfill his purpose for you.

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus and committed to following him, why wait any longer?

Your sins separate you from God. And it is only God’s grace that can get you back into right relationship with him.

The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

If you’re ready to make peace with your Creator, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. I’ve looked for the truth about my life in many places, but now I know the truth is only found in you. You have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning over every part of my life to your management.

“I want to live the way you created me to live and use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.