We like steady and predictable. It seems to vindicate our efforts at making the Christian life work in a businesslike manner. But, in fact, there’s no formula, no secret, no technique, no program, no schedule, and no truth that guarantees the speed, distance, or time frame. On the day you die, you’ll still be somewhere in the middle. But you will be further along.

I miss the late David Powlison (1949–2019).

I was recently reminded of the section below adapted from his 2017 book, Making All Things New: Restoring Joy to the Sexually Broken. It has stayed with me and encouraged me and instructed me.

The key to getting a long view of sanctification is to understand direction.
What matters most is not the distance you’ve covered.
It’s not the speed you’re going.
It’s not how long you’ve been a Christian.
It’s the direction you’re heading…

Some people, during a season of life, leap like gazelles.

Let’s say you’ve been living in flagrant sexual sins. You turn from sin to Christ, and the open sins disappear.

No more fornication: you stop sleeping with your girlfriend or boyfriend.
No more exhibitionism: you stop wearing that particularly revealing blouse.
No more pornography: you stop surfing the net or reading the latest salacious romances.
No more adultery or homosexual encounters: you break it off once and for all. Never again.
It sometimes happens like that. Not always, of course, but a gazelle season is a joy to all.

For other people (or the same people at another season of life) sanctification is a steady, measured walk.

You learn truth.
You face your fears and step out toward God and people.
You learn to serve others constructively.
You build new disciplines.
You learn basic life wisdom.
You learn who God is, who you are, how life works.
You learn to worship, to pray, to give time, money, and care.
And you grow steadily—wonder of wonders!

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