Patience!

Patience!

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. James 5:7‭-‬8 KJV

The Inspiration:

God would have me learn all the attributes that will enable me enjoy life down here on earth and also be worthy of eternal life with Him at the end of my life on earth. God is not so clueless that He will spend so much time creating, forming and equipping me for this earthly life, and then have no plan for me after this phase is over. He is an eternal God; one without beginning or end, and anyone or anything He creates will have a purpose. As we know, purpose also takes time to find, refine, develop, pursue and fulfil. This is best described using the example in today's verse, which is about sowing and reaping. The farmer has a clear idea of what he wants to achieve, and he prepares resources to attain that desire. The ground is prepared; the right kind of seed is also prepared, and the conditions that will make the seed produce the right kind of fruit is also provided. 

The Contention:

As the verse above indicates, the farmer would do all he can as best as he knows, but the one thing he really cannot control is the rain. He will plant the seed, weed out unwanted plants, apply fertiliser too, but then, he must pray and wait for rain. Without rain, the efforts will most likely be wasted. This is just one of the many ways God shows his power and wisdom. As this is for the physical, there is the equivalent in the spiritual also. God has given us all we need for life and Godliness, but there is a part for us to play, and it is to depend and focus exclusively on Him as we enjoy all that He has provided. God has an end in view for creating me, but I have to hold His hand and depend on Him every step of the way. The rain is what the seed needs to fully mature and produce after its kind, in line with its power, purpose and potential. Do I know my purpose? 

The Conclusion:

The end for all of us is eternal life with God. As I wait for that reality, there is something in me that needs to come out, to impact the world I have been placed in. God's purpose cannot be thwarted, no matter how hard the devil tries, but I must submit my life to God if He is to perfect His work in and through me. God will send the rain often, but would it meet the prepared seed? Would the rain find the seed in the prepared ground, so it can fully maximise and manifest its potential? God does not promise us eternal life on this present earth, but we wait for the full assurance of His promise that He will return for us. I cannot believe his promise of healing and then not believe his promise of eternity. It is the same God: faithful as ever and devoted to bringing me safely to the place He has promised. My heart has to be at rest as I wait, because I know no force in heaven or on earth can thwart God's perfect will. God's time of favour is here.