James 5: 7 – 11
After all the slacker talk in the last devotion, I got to thinking about the subject of patience. There are times when I am not a very patient person. I channel surf. I multi-task. I get mad at people who drive too slowly. Sometimes I just can’t deal with other’s incompetence. Meetings, concerts, movies, etc… had better start on time!! Even the microwave is not quick enough for me it seems. My mom gave me a plaque that I have in my office. It says “Lord, Please Give Me Patience…Right Now!!”
In the military, we had to do everything fast. “Hurry up, and wait”, was the joking remark made to describe military life. Seems like you’d have to rush to get somewhere, only to have to wait in line for something. Especially in boot camp, whether changing uniforms, moving from one place to another, or even eating, it had to be done fast. Too slow? Do it again. Faster!!
But I have learned to slow down, and be patient. And quite frankly there are some symptoms of impatience in our culture that I don’t get into: I don’t have a high speed modem, or instant messenger service. I still write letters sometimes. I don’t like fast food, instant coffee or instant oatmeal. As a man of the South, I believe that instant grits are evil!
Maybe you have heard the saying, “Patience is a Virtue”. And that is true. But more so, patience is vital. Without more patience we could end up driving ourselves crazy, or killing ourselves. My little saying now is “If you’re not patient, you are going to be one”. Meaning of course, that if you don’t slow down, go easy, and reduce your stress, you could end up in the hospital. Really.
Consider the words of James that we just read. Christians are to be waiting patiently for the return of Jesus. It is not easy living in this world as a follower of Christ. There is so much evil, and a growing animosity towards Christians today. It’s is our heart’s desire to be delivered from this. It is the hardest thing to wait for!
But we must be patient. Jesus will return at the right time. We should live each day with the hope of his return, and not fear what is going on in the world around us. And be patient with the daily events of your life. Nothing is really worth getting so impatient over. Relax, and wait for God!
- Richard M.