Patience, Patience

“Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be... complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4)

We live in the world of instant cash, the ten-minute oil changes, one-hour photo processing, same day dry cleaning, and 30-second fast food.  As a result, waiting has grown today to become one of life's most trying experiences.  If things don't happen right now, a turbulence of impatience blows through our inner world -- I know, because like many of you, I sometimes have a trouble dealing with this.  And impatience can be thought of as “waiting in a hurry”!

As Christians, we sometimes direct our impatience toward God -- especially when undergoing a trial.  If God ca n create things out of nothing, then why doesn't He act NOW!?  He seems to always take His own good time! Yet, we know that God's timing is always right.  He is never in a hurry, but He’s also never late.  There is a "right time" for us, just as God waited until "the fullness of time" to send Jesus (Galatians 4:4).

A student asked a college professor once, “Can I take a shorter course of studies than the one prescribed?”  “Oh, yes,” replied the president, “but it all depends on what you want to be.  When God wants to make a giant oak, He takes many years.  But when He wants to make a squash, He takes a few months.”  The moral: we need patience to become what God intends for us to be.

What is it that God is calling you to do or be that requires patience?  Whatever it is, if you’ll trust in Him, He’ll guide you to persist and persevere, so hang in there and ask for strength to be patient!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!