week 3: Patience
MOnday
Patience is a Virtue
”Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
James 5:7-8
I struggle with the sin of impatience. I want things done now. I want things done fast. I want immediate results. Patience is a virtue, and I’m afraid I am often lacking it! The most difficult aspect of patience is that we are motivated by results. If you have ever discipled someone or have children, you know it can be a long and sometimes frustrating journey if you see them making poor decisions. We even get frustrated at the slowness of our own sanctification, and sometimes wonder if our efforts are in vain.
In James’s letter to the Jewish believers of Christ who were scattered, he encouraged them with letting them know that Jesus is coming back again and what they are doing now is not in vain. Such uplifting and hope-filled words to the Jews who were suffering for Christ, and also is still true for us suffering in Christ today!
Jesus is coming again. This is something we are to eagerly await and anticipate. James assures us that the Lord will come and when He does, He will execute justice on those who don’t believe and rescue and redeem His children.
What we are doing is not in vain. Secondly, James paints the picture of the farmer who waits patiently until harvest time. We are to continue working for the Lord, laboring for His kingdom, with the assurance that the harvest will come and all of our labor was not for nothing.
So what does this mean for us today in regards to patience? The first thing to recognize is that we shouldn’t expect immediate results as we labor on for the Lord. Sometimes, what we need more than results is to grow in patience and perseverance. Secondly, we know that Jesus is coming again. We know our work for him is not in vain, and so we continue on, waiting patiently both for his coming and for his reward. Patience is a virtue, and one that takes time, trust, and hope.
Questions to Ponder:
How does knowing your work is not in vain because of Jesus’s return help change your perspective towards being more patient?
What’s the underlying reason for your impatience: Pride? Control? Comfort? Fear? Selfishness? Distrust?
Today’s Reading: