Day 8 of Lent: Patience
Would you describe yourself as a patient person? Does it depend on the situation or circumstance?
In our verse for today, James uses a practical example from everyday life to encourage us in our patience and speaks to us about how long our patience should last.
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.” (James 5:7)
James’ example of the farmer is a great example of patience. We live in a day and age where we have come to expect instantaneous results or instant gratification. James’ example of the farmer shows that patience waits and lets something develop even though it may take a long period of time. I once saw it put this way – patience is taking a deep breath – a nice long deep breath and slowly exhaling.
Did you catch what else James says about patience – the length of our patience – “until the Lord’s coming”? Perhaps you’ve had to wait a very long time for something. But ponder what James says –waiting and being patient until God comes again. We have no idea when that it is. It could still be a long time. This ties in with what the Bible says in other places about God’s unlimited patience and how we should try to emulate that.
Don’t give up on patience – that’s easier said than done for someone who struggles with patience. In the end God knows what is best and will do everything in the way and time he knows is for our good.