October 1, 2021

One thing the pandemic has taught us is how to be more patient. We were patient as the vaccine was being produced. We had to remain patient as we witnessed close to 700,000 Americans die. We remained patient as the government mailed out unemployment and stimulus checks. We have had to remain patient as businesses, schools, churches, restaurants, concert halls, etc. reopened slowly. We were forced to be patient and must remain patient until the rate of deaths caused by COVID-19 decreases. We are still waiting patiently for the unvaccinated to become vaccinated.

We know there have been persons during the pandemic who have suffered financially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc., but remained people of patience and integrity. I love the scripture above because it tells us to not worry about unfair treatment by others, for our goal should be wait patiently to please God. Simply stated, “He will work it out for good!”

I must admit that one of my weaknesses has been impatience. I used to dread having to wait for someone when an appointed time had been set. Well, I used to be that way, but I am very patient these days. For I have come to realize that impatience does not do anything but add stress to your life. When we are impatient, it just seems that things become a little chaotic and frustrating. Now it is easy to just remain content and declare, “It is what it is!”

Waiting for God sometimes seems to imply that God is not listening or he does not care. Whenever you find yourself in that predicament, embrace this passage of scripture from James 5:7-9, “See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” 

The point in this passage of scripture is that we can take a lesson from the farmer when it comes to being patient. When a farmer plants his/her crops, you can’t rush them to grow, just like we can’t rush God to answer our prayers. A farmer continues to work while he waits patiently for the harvest. The farmer puts trust in God and waits patiently as the crops grow.

We are also reminded that Jesus is coming again, and we should continue working while it is still day. “We must quickly carry out our tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.” John 9:4      

One area I have witnessed impatience to the highest is on the highway. If you do not move as soon as the red light turns green, people honk their horns before you can even get going. If you are not driving fast enough on the highway, some people get right up on your rear bumper. The latest sign of an impatient driver is when they use the shoulder of a two-lane highway to pass you. Impatience is causing some horrific accidents. People are passing on double yellow lines at a high rate of speed. It seems a little crazy and dangerous.  

Patience is one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. I have come to realize that we can only have patience when the Holy Spirit works through us. The same holds true for the other fruits of the Spirit.

We must admire Job for his patience, for he endured the loss of his possessions, his children, his health, and his wife’s support, but he remained patient. When Job’s wife suggested he “Curse God and die,” Job responded by saying, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:9-10). Job waited patiently for God’s plan to unfold. Let that be a lesson for us also. Let’s wait for God’s plan to unfold in our daily living.

Another example of one who waited patiently was the prophet, Jeremiah. He prophesied to the nation of Judah for forty years and no one listened. Instead of giving up, he wept over the people as they continued to sin. (Jeremiah 16:2)

“Biblically, waiting is not just something we have to do until we get what we want. Waiting is part of the process of becoming what God wants us to be.” John Ortberg

Not a sermon, just my thoughts!

Robert Earl Slade, Pastor 

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