Patience Is More Than a Virtue

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to be patient? Well, I am probably one of the world's worst at it. I have zero tolerance when it comes to patience, always have.

When God speaks to you and tells you He is going to do something for you, it is difficult to just "sit back and wait". That is precisely what He wants though. Perfect patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (Jam 1:4 KJVR)

God told us (in this ministry) that He would provide a building for our church. We are currently holding our meetings in a local woman's club. It is very chaotic trying to move sound equipment around every Sunday. Setting up chairs and moving them back when you are through. Very taxing on your nerves. It is hard to wait when you need something now. Do we really need it now? Well it sure would be nice and convenient and make our lives much more comfortable. Father , if it is possible let this cup (waiting for our building) pass from me. All of a sudden it doesn't seem like that big of a deal, does it? I mean it's not like we are going to have locust thorns crushed into our scalp, be beaten to within an inch of our lives, be spat upon, publicly riduculed, and then be nailed to an old rugged cross, and then stabbed in the side with a sword. Oh, did I mention the vinegar? Yeah, just when a cool drink of H2O would really hit the spot they slip you a big slug of bitter vinegar.

I know that is a little drastic for an illustration, but it does put things in their proper perspective. I mean, we can certainly live with a few inconveniences, can't we? Maybe for you it's not a church building. Maybe it is that new job He told you about. Or maybe it is the financing on that new house. We are not working in our timetable when it comes to things God has promised. We are strictly in God's zone. If you want it, wait. If you don't want it, keep whining, maybe He can change His mind. After all, usually when God promises something, He will attach a condition or two along with it.

If He said He will part the Red Sea, someone has to raise the staff. If He said He would knock down the wall, someone has to march around it. If He promises you something, do your part. Be patient.

It is said that patience is a virtue. Patience, in God's world, is much more than that. It is an essential ingredient in God's recipe book.