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The Perfect Work of Patience

Bethany's Church sign this week reads Don't Be Too Busy to Miss God's Blessings. If I could describe this generation in one word, it would have to be busy. So often I find myself getting strapped down to the rigorous routine of life, finding that at the end of the day all I have to show for it is a worrisome mind and a stress filled heart. Always fully in motion, but never truly moving forward. The rat race spills over into my spiritual walk and all that was wholesome, joyful, and uplifting becomes monotonous rhetoric, haphazard reading, and clumsy living.

Numerous times I have had to fall on my face from "running the race" to realize that the race will never be finished through busy running, but through blessed rest. It's not just by pacing, but by patience. This may seem like a paradox, and indeed it is, yet Christianity is about the impossible becoming possible. The gospel is powerful and paradoxical. Just as we in reverence begin to dwell on the truth that the God of the universe somehow, through the Holy Spirit, reigns in ours hearts. That for us to experience eternity, we must have the faith of a child. That blessing comes by giving and living in Christ comes by dying to self.

James 1:2-4 states, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." The word perfect implies growth and maturity, while work means to toil and labor. Notice that Christian patience is coupled and complemented with growth and labor. Patience is the water and God's love is the sun in the garden of Christian maturity. When we suffer for Christ, we may experience great pains, but more than this, we are emboldened into a patient hope, renewed in trust, and edified in His love.

In the daily duties we face, there is one grand, divine call we are to heed. Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth (Psalms 46:10)." The moment I stop and meditate on God, His goodness, and His mercy, I find my patience turns to strength and joy. Patience  procures trust, amplifies hope, and promotes growth. Wait for God's Will, meditate in His Word, Quit running around in circles in this world. Stop, rest in Christ's love and forgiveness, cast your cares at His feet, and then in your patience you will find satisfying strength for the race. 

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