Only One Way to Achieve Patience (Ecclesiastes 7:8)
Dear Members of the Our Savior Lutheran Church Email Prayer Chain, 

Only One Way to Achieve Patience

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.--Ecclesiastes 7:8
 
Our pastor came into the room for a pre-arranged talk with our high school youth group. He wanted to share something with us as some of us moved off into the next phases of our lives.

Out of all the applications and biblical wisdom at his disposal, what one topic was on his heart? What advice did he wish to impart above all?

He began by asking us to envision where we'd be in five, 10, 20 years. I'm now well past that 20th year; I'm amazed at how differently many things have turned out, and how similar to my goals other things are. But that's not the point.

Our pastor next told us that the one thing we ought to pursue more than any other was... not holiness, not righteousness, not prayer... but patience. "Young men and women, raise your hand if you want to be a person of patience."

Okay, sure. Sounds good. Patience, yeah, that could be helpful to me. Hand up.

"Great. I'll tell you what, people, can I pray with you now? But be aware, only agree with me in this prayer if you mean it, if you really want patience. Because do you know what it takes to develop patience? Problems. Only problems - and the way you react to them and trust God through them - can develop patience. Do you understand? So that's what I'm going to ask God for right now, that He'll bring you all problems. Are you ready?"

Sure. Why not?

Oh boy. Looking back, and its been more like 40+ years since high school, these years haven't exactly been hell on earth (although sometimes it feels like it in the moment), but they've sure been full of their share of problems. Right at this moment, I've got one that leaves me no choice but to wait... and wait... and wait. I feel shamed when I go through a study about Abraham and how long he waited and waited for God to fulfill a direct promise, because I can't imagine waiting as long as I may have to wait for this current situation to come to an end if it ever will. The only reason I can continue to do so is because of the patience and wisdom that God has built up in me having passed through earlier problems and trials, the outcomes of which inform me to keep waiting. I have experienced God’s faithfulness through past trials and difficulties.

What's the moral here? Be careful what you pray for? Hmmm... maybe... but I think I prefer the lesson in today's verse, that patience (trusting God's way and waiting on His promise) is better than pride (my idea of the best way). To me, it's really eye-opening to think of those two concepts - patience and pride - as the opposites of each other. It suggests patience is akin to humility, and pride the brother of instant gratification. And that makes sense. But why is patience better? Especially in this day and age when so much is there for the taking? When the respected thing to do is reach out and go for it? What had my pastor so convinced that doing the opposite was the most important lesson to send young people out into the world?
Honestly I haven't completely figured that out yet. Appropriately, it's something I'm willing to be patient to gain the wisdom about. But I suspect it has something to do with that pesky old verse from James:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  (James 1:2-4).

Only problems can bring patience; only trials can test faith and make it real. Only endurance can lead to completion.

And when I am complete, I will not lack anything. At which time I apparently will have superseded even patience, as what would there be to wait for if I lack nothing?

It sounds almost mystical, almost unachievable, at least until the end of my life or when I meet God. Until then, I simply pray that the experience of each problem and the eventual result will steel me into calm, patient submission to God's perfect timing.

REFLECTION

Are you willing to pray a problem into your life? Why or why not?  

PRAYER REQUESTS -- Week of March 29, 2009

FOR THOSE IN NEED OF HEALING

Mark Lohmeyer, son of Kyle and Lois Lohmeyer, serves as Organist and Director of Music at a Lutheran Church in Florida, severely broke his wrist last week. Please pray for complete healing so that Mark may continue to serve the Lord as he has in the past. The Lord's will be done.

 FOR THOSE WHO CELEBRATE NEW LIFE

Emily Beth Fuhrmann, to Amy and Travis Fuhrmann.  Amy is a worker in our daycare.
Sophia Wendie Elaine Gosden, born to Kristen Gosden, mother of Hannah Gosden, daughter
 
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.--2 Peter 1:2-8
 
In Christ,
Paul E. Nickel
Director of Christian Education
Our Savior Lutheran Church
 

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