Advent 3:5. 19 December 2013

image by chris gilbert

by Pastor Eric Thompson

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. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

James 5:7-11, ESV

"The watched pot never boils." So says the old proverb. As much as we'd like to make certain things happen, some outcomes only come when it's time.

It would be hard to imagine a time when impatience would be more of a problem than it is in our fully-automated, on-demand world. Most of us aren't waiting for deliverance from oppression like generations of American slaves endured, or waiting for liberation like Jewish refugees in a concentration camp, or even waiting for a next meal or a winter coat. More often we are customers demanding our pizza to be delivered in 30 minutes or less, our online purchases to arrive on the next day, for conditions at home, work, or church to conform to our expectations. Tomorrow. Today would be better.

James points us to several examples of waiting. The farmer works diligently but grapes only grow so fast. The prophets issued messages from the Lord that wouldn't be fulfilled in their lifetimes. Job had to trust God through incredible, unrelenting suffering.

Our productivity-based culture places a high value on outcomes. What change can you bring about and how quickly can you deliver? Yet, James seems to be making a connection between impatience and grumbling, an indication that we are not satisfied with the purposes of the Lord to show compassion and mercy.

Take some time to consider the following. Perhaps it would be helpful to record your responses in a journal.

Have you caught yourself grumbling recently? Do you have an impatient spirit? Perhaps what you desire is a worthy end, but how might you apply your heart so that you are faithfully waiting and diligently working instead of impatiently pressing and grumbling?

Here is a prayer in response to today's text. You can pray this as your own or use it as a prompt for a spontaneous prayer.

God, our eternally wise Father, You have never broken a promise. Because you are faithful we can know with certainty that you will accomplish all of your purposes. I, on the other hand, am often impatient when I do not see the things happening that I desire. Help me to wait and carry the cross I am to bear with patience and transform my heart so that it aligns with yours. It is my desire to be a witness of your compassion. Help me to guard against developing a grumbling spirit that discourages and instead give me a patient spirit that helps others experience your love and grace.