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This writer’s taste buds can almost nearly always generally distinguish instant potatoes from real mashed potatoes. The imposter can be tolerated, but the real is preferred. However, time constraints may make the real a less-real possibility for some meals. There is peeling, cutting, rinsing, boiling, mashing, adding milk, butter, salt and pepper, then more stirring that has to be done in order to make real mashed potatoes. It is a time-consuming process.
Mark’s record of Jesus calling the disciples at the Sea of Galilee says, “Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men” (Mark 1:16, 17). Notice that little bit of additional information that Mark gives: “to become.”
Jesus did not promise these men instant discipleship capabilities. He evidently had a lengthy training process in mind for them. Even after three-plus years of instruction and in-the-field training, Jesus could say, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now” (John 16:12). Their “fishing” abilities were still being enhanced.
Some of us who made resolutions to make spiritual improvements in the New Year may already be seeing challenges to those plans. Some may doubt whether they are going to .be able to make any progress at all. One of those fishermen mentioned above instructed us to add “…to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness” (2 Peter 1:6). The word, “patience,” means “cheerful (or hopeful) endurance” (Strong’s). Brothers and sisters, be patient (persistent) and you will be blessed (2 Peter 1:8). Real improvement takes time.
J. Brooks Boyd Jr.
Livingston church of Christ
Livingston, TN