patient as we wait

James 5:7 (ESV)

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.

Farmers understand the need for patience. “See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains,” says James. Arnold Glasgow must have been thinking similarly when he wrote about the importance of patience: “You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it open.” In other words, as a familiar proverb puts it, “Good things come to those who wait”!

James was writing to believers who were being mistreated by people who were rich. By urging his readers to be patient, James wasn’t simply instructing them to be resigned to their difficult situation. Instead, he was reminding them that “the Lord’s coming is near,” and that when Christ returns, he will serve as the just Judge.

When Christ comes back from heaven, “with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God”,  he will set all wrongs right. Jesus is coming to give strength to the weak and to judge those whom the world considers strong.

Be patient then, James is saying, until the Lord’s coming, when the heavens and the earth will be made new and the Lord himself comes to live with us. It’s because we view life through the lens of eternity that we can be “thankful when things go well” and “patient when things go against us”.

Dear Lord, thank You that You are establishing a kingdom where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain; Help us to persevere patiently in that hope. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Would You Take an Egg to Share the Gospel?

Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

 Wait for the Lord;

    be strong and take heart

    and wait for the Lord.

To tell you the truth, it's hard to find someone who likes to wait, especially in a world where the word "hectic" has begun to quantify the norm. Instant gratification has made the word "wait" a word of the past, which truly isn't in our best interest!

Impatience is one of our worst enemies. It has caused many blunders and heartaches, as well as much loneliness. Impatience is a sign that we want to be in control, and things aren't happening the way we want them to. But maybe, just maybe, this world is not about us, but about others as well!

May we all learn to wait on the Lord. There is beauty in waiting, especially if our heart is right. Waiting on the Lord is a sign that we trust God and that we have confidence that He will come through for us in the best possible way. It isn't about just fulfilling our wants and desires!

Christians at the University of Auckland aren't always well-liked. Witnessing is usually received with as much enthusiasm as a cold shower. "We live in a modern world man. Wake up!" I wonder, however, just who it is who needs to wake up!

These Christians aren't easily discouraged. They know they can rely on God, and thus, they waited for His guidance. And their wait was rewarded. Easter 2012 was going to be their opportunity to make a difference. A way-outside-the-box idea sprang out during prayer: Let's have an "egg a Christian" celebration for Easter! That would sure attract a crowd on campus!

And attract a crowd it did, for even the media broadcasted this special event. There was one tiny catch, though. Anyone who wished to throw an egg at a Christian would have to be willing to listen to that Christian explain the meaning of Easter and Christ's resurrection. All of it free of charge. One egg per person. Thus the "eggs" of Easter became an opportunity for them to share the real meaning behind Easter: Having an intimate relationship with God!

Patience produces results that will last for eternity!

Are you willing to be egged? Let us take a stand for our Lord today. Pray today how you can share His great love with the world around you.

Dear Lord, we pray that we would be willing to have an egg thrown at us. We pray that our eyes would be open to the new ways we can reach the world for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.