“An almost impossible task”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Saturday, November 22, 2024
James 5: 7-12 (Forward, p. 24) CEV p. 1275
Patience: it is an almost impossible feat or task or attitude for me. I find myself constantly needing to be busy, needing to occupy my time with something. That, perhaps, is why I almost always bring something to do, something to read or work on, when I stand in line or must wait in a waiting room. Or, failing those recourses, why I ‘have’ to engage in a conversation, even with total strangers.
So, waiting for others, for my ‘time to be up’, is difficult, but even more difficult for me is waiting for, or upon, the Lord. Here, then, James’ advice and illustrations can be most helpful. He mentions two examples of exceptional patience:
First of all, he mentions farmers. After the crop has been put in and
has not yet popped up, what can they do? Basically, wait. They
have no control, no input, over when the rains come. There are a few
things that they can do to occupy their time, but not a lot. They can
make sure that their combines or other equipment is ready for the
harvest, or that their sprayers are ready, but it is basically a time of
waiting.
Secondly, he recalls the example of Job. This example I find most
interesting, for Job had to put up with far more than just a wait. He
had to put up with, deal with, some incredible losses plus personal
illness, all without any human support. In fact, just the opposite:
his associates and remaining family members were, without
exception, dismissive and judgmental. There was no support or
sympathy here. He was basically all alone, without, it would
seem, even God being there for him. (I, for one, would find this
most difficult—almost impossible, for I relish and depend upon
the conviction, and the reality, that God is with me.)
Interestingly—this should not surprise us, however, for James, for all his advice, is also very practical—he also gives us some advice on how we can put this patience into practice:
We should shy away from grumbling, grumbling about each other. How easy, and how natural this is, when we are impatient, to take it out on other people! However, we are to resist this temptation.
And we shouldn’t be hasty with our words, pledging or promising
to do this or that. Hastiness with our words and intentions are
often the mark of impatient people. Again, it is something that we
should watch out for.
So, here the examples of farmers and Job can be of great comfort, for in each case, God comes through for them. God is there, God cares, and God can help, yes, even in those occasions when waiting, patience, seem difficult, even impossible. Thanks be to God for His help.
Forward notes: “You also must be patient” (verse 8a).
“My wife and I are foster parents and currently caring for a three-year-old boy. We often ask him to be patient; in fact, my wife even has a song she sings to remind him. ‘Be patient, be patient, don’t be in such a hurry. When you get impatient, it only leads to worry. Remember, remember, that God is patient too, and think of all the times that others have to wait for you!’
“Now, I’m not the poster child for patience. When I was young, my mom often reminded me, ‘Patience is a virtue, Jazzy.’ Today, as I care for a young child, I value patience in a whole new way! One of the critical lessons I’ve learned is that patience is a two-way street: just as I encourage our foster child to be patient, I realize that I, too, need to exercise the same virtue.”
Moving Forward: “What makes you impatient? Can you reframe the situation and find some extra patience to give?”