As we look out our windows, we see the first signs of spring starting to peek out around us. Birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and the grass is getting a little greener. After winter snowstorms, we are ready and excited for the ability to walk out our front doors without considering how many layers of protection we might need. We enter this season with the hope that maybe this year will be better than the last.
In a year where the days felt like they lasted forever, the months have seemed to have flown by. We are not back to where we would prefer to be, but we are closer than ever before. And being close is sometimes harder than being far. We can see the finish line but know that getting there will take just a little longer and that we must continue to be patient.
As Christians waiting is nothing new. We are reminded of this in James 5:7-9, “7 Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, 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. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”
In our instant gratification-based society we hate being told to wait. As soon as an urge or need hits us we rush to find a way to fulfill it and make the desire go away. Unfortunately, not all our wants or desires can be met quickly. In James’s example of the farmer, we see the kind of patience we are being called to. We can feed and water the seed, but it will only grow if we give it time.
There are seeds that you are planting every day: with your family, with your career, with your neighbors, and so many others. We don’t always get the instant gratification we want of seeing our desires grow and flourish. Sometimes it takes a really long time, but that’s okay.
Whatever you are waiting for, I know it is hard to be patient. However, we can establish our hearts in knowing that the coming of the Lord is at hand. God is with us in the waiting. There are the things that we want and can get right now, but there are also times when we are called to wait and trust.