Wait! Your Wings Are Not Grown
The sermon emphasizes the importance of patience and waiting on God for spiritual growth, rather than rushing forward with eagerness and unripe desires.
Mary Wilder Tileston, preaching from Lamentations 3:25, emphasizes the goodness of the Lord for those who patiently wait and seek Him. She warns against being too hasty in spiritual growth, urging listeners to avoid restlessness and impatience in their journey towards God. Tileston encourages a gentle and steady approach, advising against excessive eagerness and the pursuit of desires that may hinder true resignation to God's will. She highlights the importance of quiet perseverance and contentment in the path set before them, trusting in God's timing for their spiritual growth.
Text
The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.
LAMENTATIONS 3:25
BE patient till your wings are grown. I fear very much that you are too vehement and headlong in your wishes and attempts to fly. You see the beauty of spiritual light and good resolutions; you fancy that you have almost attained, and your ardor is redoubled; you rush forward, but in vain, for your Master has chained you to your perch, or else it is that your wings are not grown; and this constant excitement exhausts your strength. You must indeed strive to fly, but gently, without growing eager or restless. You resign yourself, but it is always with a BUT; you want this and that, and you struggle to get it. A simple wish is no hindrance to resignation; but a palpitating heart, a flapping of wings, an agitated will, and endless, quick, restless movements are unquestionably caused by deficient resignation. Do you know what you must do? You must be willing not to fly, since your wings are not yet grown. Do not be so eager with your vain desires, do not even be eager in avoiding eagerness; go on quietly in your path--it is a good path.
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Waiting
- The Problem of Unripe Spiritual Wings
- The Path to Spiritual Growth
- Gentle striving to fly
- Quiet resignation to God's will
- The importance of being willing to wait
Key Quotes
“BE patient till your wings are grown.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“You must indeed strive to fly, but gently, without growing eager or restless.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Do not be so eager with your vain desires, do not even be eager in avoiding eagerness;” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Be patient and trust in God's timing for your spiritual growth.
- Cultivate gentle striving and quiet resignation in your approach to spiritual growth.
- Recognize the importance of waiting and being willing to not fly when your spiritual wings are not yet grown.