You’re not Behind; You’re Exactly Where You’re Supposed to Be

One of the greatest desires of my heart it to have a home. I want a place to raise my children, pushing our roots down deep until it leaves a lasting imprint on our hearts. I want walls I can paint, rooms I can decorate, and acres flatly laid for outdoor adventure. 

We’ve had a home like this before, and we left it to follow Jesus. It was worth it, and I don’t regret it, but I do miss living in a place I could call my own. 

I know we’ll have our own home again, but sometimes it seems as if that time will never come. I know it’s not true, but it doesn’t keep the feeling of longing from arising. It also doesn’t silence the subtle whispers of doubt that outline the unknown. Often times the unchecked longing can become a broad place of despair, creating a sense of being behind. 

Behind—as in I’m not where I’m supposed to be in the journey. 

I should be permanently planted. I should have the home. I should be a decade into paying it off. 

I should be….

The thought train doesn’t stop here. 

I should be further along in ministry. I should be working on book two or three. I should be making more money.

I should be…

Have you ever felt this way? 

Behind.

Have you ever asked yourself why? 

Why do we feel behind? 

Is it because we truly are or is it because we’re measuring our progress against the wrong standard? When we measure our progress against the standards of the world, social media highlight reels or friends and family, we’ll always feel behind. We’ll be pressuring ourselves to live in the fast lane, trying to gain material possessions, position, influence, and opportunity at a fast food, microwaveable rate. 

The only true measuring line we can use for our lives is obedience. 

When we use obedience as the gauge for our increase, we realize we’re building towards eternity—not there here and now. Increase built slowly on obedience will last while increase built quickly on desire will have a short lifespan. 

Incremental increase with God is always greater than instantaneous gratification through the flesh. We’ll never be truly behind when we build on obedience. We’ll be building brick by brick, day by day—not dollar by dollar, like by like or possession by possession. 

We’ll never be behind when we obey. We’ll never miss out when we trust that God can do in a moment what we strive to do for a lifetime. 

Just keep building, laying consistent bricks of obedience every day. 

You’ll never be behind, but always right on time.