Why Doesn’t Life Have a ‘Fast Forward’ Button?

Why are we always in such a rush?

Have you ever felt trapped by the urgency to achieve more, grow faster, or reach the next goal? In a world driven by deadlines and immediate results, we often forget that true growth—especially spiritual growth—takes time. Patience isn’t just about enduring delays; it’s about trusting that life unfolds at its own perfect pace.

The teachings of the seraphim offer us a loving reminder: stagnation can lead to spiritual decline, but overly rapid growth can be just as harmful. Progress, they tell us, is steady and deliberate, like water flowing gently downhill in smooth steps. This perspective invites us to rethink not only how we approach our goals but also how we live each day.

Life: the first step in an eternal journey

The seraphim describe mortal life as the first link in an unbroken chain that stretches into all eternity. Think of this brief life on Urantia as your starting point, the opening chapter of a story that spans universes and ages.

This perspective shifts the focus from what you achieve to how you experience life itself. It’s not the quantity of your achievements that matters but the quality of your effort and the sincerity of your intentions.

Here are some key ideas to keep in mind:

1. Patience nurtures lasting growth.

Just like a seed that sprouts and grows in its own time, your soul flourishes best when nurtured steadily and faithfully. Rapid, forced growth may bring immediate results but often lacks the strength to endure.

2. Life is more about the ‘how’ than the ‘what.’

The work you do is important, but the way you do it—with sincerity, integrity, and care—holds far greater value. Every decision and every effort adds meaning to the eternal journey of your soul.

3. The real rewards are spiritual, not material.

While the world often rewards action with visible results, the greatest reward for living righteously is inner peace: a sense of having fulfilled your purpose. This satisfaction transcends any material reward.

My story: when I learned to trust the process

“I remember a time when I was consumed by the need to see rapid progress in my personal and spiritual life. I set ambitious goals, but I grew frustrated when I didn’t achieve them as quickly as I hoped. I even began to doubt myself: was I doing something wrong? It wasn’t until I discovered the teachings of the seraphim on patience that I began to let go of this pressure. They taught me that growth isn’t about rushing to the goal but embracing each step as it comes. I started paying attention to the small daily decisions: How was I treating others? Was I acting with sincerity? Was I choosing what aligned with my values, even in the small details? Over time, I noticed a change. Life didn’t become easier overnight, but I began to feel a quiet strength, a serene certainty that I was on the right path. Trusting the process didn’t just teach me patience; it helped me find joy in the journey itself.”

Time is not your enemy; it’s your teacher

Every small step matters. Embrace the journey with patience and confidence because your soul is blooming at the perfect moment.

Reflect on this today

- Are you rushing through life, or are you allowing yourself to grow with grace and steadiness?

- What small decisions can you make today that reflect your sincerity and deepest values?

Trust the process. Your steady, patient steps will take you much farther than you can imagine.

“Progress is the watchword of the universe; and the goals are eternal. In the universal existence, there is always a new service to be achieved, a new truth to be revealed, and a new horizon to explore.”

The Urantia Book, 28:6.17