Be Patient

Be patient!

“You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors!”(James 5:8-9)

Be patient. Why do I find it so hard to be patient? Why do I have a desire to overtake the car in front, to get to the place quicker than the other cars, to rush on? Why do I not savour each moment? Why do I not think this time on earth is limited and I must make the most of every second? Why do I get lost in details, or online, with things that I don’t need to? Here, God is drawing us back, reminding us that He is the judge and that we are not to judge. But I do judge, don’t I? Don’t we all?

So rather than feeling bad about all this stuff, let us focus on the one true light entering the world this Advent. Let us focus on Christ, who is nearly here, who is about to arrive, who is about to save the people, not just His people but all people, because he loves everybody.

If you try that now, let that love seep into your heart, then being patient with a person driving in front of you becomes easier, as you picture them with their worries and hurries.

Noticing what you might say and how it would affect those around you, and perhaps holding back when you realise it may be hurtful for them; being patient in this way will help heal wounds and prevent rifts.

So today, try giving over your impatience to God. Allowing the anticipation of the arrival of his son into the world, allow the excitement of that, to be enough for today.

And as you allow all of that love and hope and joy to seep into your being, you will discover that, after all, you can be patient because God is so patient with you and with me and…

Be blessed!

Helen