Early in his inventing career, Thomas Edison invented a vote-tallying machine that could be used in legislative chambers. Simply by moving the switch from right to left, one could vote for or against a proposal without leaving his or her desk. Edison was thrilled about his prospects, so he headed for Washington, D.C.

In a meeting with the Chairman of Congressional Committees, the official complimented Edison on his ingenuity but promptly turned down the invention. He told Edison, “Filibustering and delay in the tabulation of votes are often the only means we have for defeating bad or improper legislation. The lengthiness of the process is often the key to making it all work.”

In Congress, as well as in life, the process can often be the most critical part. Think about all the times when you expended days, months, or even years on something, only to see your labor never come to fruition. But what many forget to consider, as they hang their heads in despair, is that through the struggle, they were learning. The process, not the end result, was the key to everything.

Don’t be discouraged if you feel like you’ve been “in process” for a long period of time. Instead, look at what God is doing through your toil. When you see God in the process and waiting, you’ll find real encouragement to move forward!


Prayer Challenge
Pray and ask God to give you patience in life’s processes and help you to better trust in Him as He molds you in the meantime.

Questions for Thought

What processes are you in the middle of now and on which you’re awaiting resolution? What is God teaching you in those processes?

How might a better trust in God to mold you through those processes change your outlook on the result?