“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” James 5:78
Have you ever hit the fast-forward button on a movie because you thought the plot was moving too slow? And when you got to the end, you didn’t understand a big chunk of it because you missed half the film?
That’s what happens when we try to live our lives at the wrong speed, when we want to rush to the next season before we have an understanding of the season we are in now.
If we want to enjoy a movie, all we have to do is watch it at the speed the writer intended. Only then will we be able to appreciate the cinematography, the cast of characters, the depths of tragedy, and the moments of joy as they unfold.
It’s the same with the story of our lives. God has all the scenes in mind, each character in place. In order for us to enjoy and understand it, we must view our lives at the speed God intended.
And that requires patience! James urges us to be like farmers, waiting for rain. We are to wait and stand firm in this life, to work for God’s glory, and trust in His incredible plan.
When I want to move at a pace that is faster than Your will, Lord, teach me to stand still and wait on You. When life seems to be spinning out of control, help me to block the noise so You can tell me what to do. Adjust my thought process so I can think clearly. Calm my fears and redirect my path. I want my life to align with Your will so I won’t be anxious and fast-forward to the next scene. Amen.
Take Action
What is in your life that causes you to reach for the remote? Are you overwhelmed by suffering or grief? Are you dealing with heartache or abandonment? Whatever it is, resist the temptation to skip to the next scene. Trust God that He will make sense of it all in the end.
