It does not matter what you do, if you are listening God will teach you something.  While on my Bike Ride Across Nevada (BRAN) I learned several lessons, I will share only one here (so relax):

Yes the goal was to ride across the state, the route we picked was going to be around 431.39 miles.  We did not ride that entire distance in one day.  We broke it down into smaller rides.  The longest rides were the flattest, the shorter rides were the ones where we had the bigger climbs.  We further broke down the rides by setting up “water stops” every 15 to 20 miles.  You might say, we rode 431.39 miles – 15 at a time.  Even if you don’t ride, you will admit it is a lot better to think “I will get a break in 15 miles” rather than, “I have 400 miles to go.”

Our relationship with God works the same way.  Some of us believe we have to change EVERYTHING – NOW.  That is incredibly frustrating mainly, because it is impossible.  I is impossible and so God does not put that requirement on us.  He does not expect more of us than we can handle, and He is pleased when we make progress – ANY progress.  In fact, that is what He told His people as they were going to go into the promised land:

 

Exodus 23:27-30 (ESV)
27  I will send my terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people against whom you shall come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. 28  And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites from before you. 29  I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply against you. 30  Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and possess the land.

 

He had a huge parcel of land that He was going to give His people, but if He just cleared it and said: “Here, you are on your own.”  As numerous as they were, they would not be able to manage it.  God has a HUGE inheritance that He wants to give you, but if He were to dump it into your lap now, you would waste it.  He is giving it to you – slowly, so you can manage it properly and really enjoy it.

 

15 miles at a time.