6/6/97 Patience
Dear Friends:
(If it is welcome and a blessing, send it on to others,Lee)
Patience, let God have His timing. I am pretty sure that is what I heard this morning. I was watching my friend, the heron, waiting...and waiting...and waiting...boom! Breakfast.
So many times I have heard the line, "don't pray for patience, unless you want to wait."
Patience is a virtue. So why don't I have it? I know I am more patient now than I was 10 years ago. (Probably, because I have had to wait!) Ironically, as I get older and things seem speeded up (days feel like hours, hours like minutes), there is an urgency to accomplish EVERYTHING! I wasted so much time as a non-Christian. I try to stay unencumbered, as Paul says, "laying aside every weight that would hinder."
So perhaps in your impatience, you are saying, hurry up! Get on with it! What are you talking about?
What I see is a world that is picking up speed, starting to move out of control, and in the middle of it there are a group of people crying out for the Lord. And the world would want to spit us out of its mouth. How many of you have waited on the Lord for something that has seemed impossible, only to see it come together in a most unusual way?
In my own little microcosm, I am often impatient. (I want what I want and I want it now! His majesty-the baby!) I get frustrated over the seeming inability of people to work things out. I am a resolutionist (derived from revolutionist, after my big brother-Jesus). I want resolution in everything. I don't want open doors, or unended conversations. One of my least fond memories of school, was where I was the guinea pig in an experiment, unbeknownst to me. I was to be outside the room, while they explained what they would do to cause me to explode. They had me return to the room, and had eight projects for me to do; put together paper clips, assemble a small puzzle, etc.. But they never let me complete the project! They interrupted me until I got up and left the class room.
They pushed my patience level into the red zone. Today, I work very hard at not being impatient. And God gives me many opportunities to pass this class. Patience is a gift and it is a learned thing. This letter is funny unless, it sounds like you.
We all need to learn to relax and unwind a little more than we do. I have extended my walking time to double because I need to learn to relax and have patience. Patience is a virtue. It is a good thing. If it is this and God says it is, it is important we learn it. (Is this really me saying this?)
Last night Jesse and I taught about evangelism and its importance in the coming days. It was a good meeting and people were blessed. Especially me. Yesterday at 5:55 for a 6 pm meeting, I had assembled no notes, because the day was a ministry day (everyone needed something). I was pushed right up til the meeting. Yet, the results were awesome. There was a time of hands on ministry and some healings occurred, and people were filled with the joy of the Lord.
My impatience could have ruined it. I worked hard to keeping things moving and trying not to explode because everybody needed a piece of Lee. And I actually like to preach without notes (placing papers on the pulpit usually encourages everyone else, not me). The impatience was what if I didn't plan something.
But, God's timing is perfect. Every time. His heart's desire is you let Him go before you. I have always been of the school that I will miss God for trying. And many have said when asked if the believe I will get to heaven, "yes, if he can stop in time". God's timing is perfect. He loves you. He wants you to rest in Him. Today, spend some time just meditating on Him and His Word. Don't rush off to do something. Take a moment to let Him love on you. Let Him order your steps. There is no hurry in God. No race, no striving.
Be blessed. Let God have His way. Have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy your friends and families. Go to church expecting awesome things and He won't let you down. Be thankful for the pastor (or for being one) and the body God has given you. Take time to smell the flowers.
Selah.
Shalom.
We pray for you, each and every day. If this is an encouragement to you. Please tell us, and please email it to someone else. If you have a prayer request, please mail it to us. We want to stand with you, battling spiritual wickedness, seeing people made free. We want to serve our brother and sister.
In the Service of Christ for His Glory,
Lee Johndrow
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please mail us at:
154 Paddock Road
Springfield, Vermont 05156
For those who support us in prayer and deed we appreciate it.
Thank you,
Lee & Tina Johndrow
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