THE WAIT IS WORTH IT

 

^{MARCH 31, 2023}

^{JAMES 5:7-11}

7 Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

 

Planting seeds and waiting is well known to farmers and God. Every farmer and gardener knows there is planning, patience, and work involved with a harvest.

So it is with us and God. How long has God waited for the seeds to take root in each of our lives? The infinite patience of God is such a good reminder that every harvest takes time. Some crops take longer than others. The wait is clearly worth it in God's eyes.

As Lent draws to a close and we are about to enter the passion week, Holy Week some call it, beginning with Palm Sunday, we are invited to dwell in suffering, pain, and loss with Jesus. By weeks end we will be witnesses to Jesus’ exaltation through his suffering, pain, and loss. His extended arms on the cross made room for everyone, especially those who experience suffering, pain, and loss, to know that they are part of God’s Kingdom Community. For as James puts it our God is “full of tenderness and mercy.” So let us, “Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.”

LET US PRAY

God of our consolation, you know our deep disappointments and you receive us with grace and open arms. Give us the courage to drop our guard and let you enter into our lives with words of comfort. Amen