Dear SCC & Friends,
But if we hope for what we do not see, with patience we wait eagerly for it. ~Romans 8:25
Update #66
Patience is a most underrated virtue. It often is falsely accused of being synonymous with procrastination or lack of action. One of the disadvantages of patience is it takes such a long time. The old cliché comes to mind, “I want patience and I want it now!” More than just the ability to wait, it is the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission penned, “There are three requirements for a missionary, (1) Patience, (2) Patience, (3) Patience.” Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change. ~2 Pet. 3:8-9 (The Message)
I get impatient about many things… misplacing my car keys to how slowly the wheels of justice turn. The vicissitudes of technology can bring out the worst in me…enough said… Zoom connections that get digitally sabotaged… or calling someone to be put on hold to talk to an artificial intelligence that directs me to a website I can’t find. Big things, little things…they can really “bug” if we let them. One person defined patience as the ability to let your light shine after your fuse is blown. In reality, patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that comes from God’s active work in and through our lives. Patience may be defined as a calm temper which bears frustrations without murmuring or discontent. These past 17 months have had more twists and turns than we could have imagined, yet the Lord has given us ample grace and patience when needed. The Lord is active as both the author and finisher of our faith. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” ~Jim ElliotThe best is yet to come… Keep up the good work!
Thank you Lord,
Kevin