Reflections: Am I really being patient?

Has anyone noticed how often the Bible speaks of patience or of waiting, which is usually something none of us really enjoy? I have previously mentioned my admiration for Mister Rogers of children’s TV fame, especially how he intentionally kept the show at a slower pace, allowing children time to process information and develop patience; he even sang a little song called “Let’s Think of Something to Do While We’re Waiting.” 

Most recently, I’ve noticed the theme in the minor prophets of the Old Testament. Nahum focuses on reassurance that God is at work and the guilty will not go unpunished; Habakkuk comes right out and asks, “How long, God?” By the third chapter, though, Habakkuk has reached a place of spiritual rest with his famous “even if . . . I will still” passage (3:17-19). Even in his waiting and questioning, the prophet experienced spiritual growth. 

David expressed similar emotions in Psalm 27 before wrapping up with, “Still, I am certain to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the Lord!” (v.13-14, BSB). 

New Testament writers, in the context of Roman rule and persecution, were also familiar with waiting. James uses the agricultural principle of waiting for rains to help bring the harvest, telling his readers, “You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near” (5:7-8, BSB). In another agricultural example, I once had a T-shirt that said, “But let patience have its perfect work,” referencing James 1:4, with a picture of a hen sitting on some eggs.

Paul was certainly familiar with waiting. Several of his letters were written during persecution or from jail, yet he reminds his readers that “all things work together for the good of those who love [God], who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, BSB). 

Maybe, like me, you grew up memorizing those verses or sighing your way through sermons about them; and your parents or Sunday School teachers reminded you of them when things weren’t going your way or progress was slow.  

What I didn’t realize until more recently, though, is the deeper concept behind the word translated “wait” and “patient” in several of those passages. I’m not an expert on ancient languages, but scholars explain the Hebrew word as communicating wholeness and growth. The rest of James 1:4 says, “That you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Those eggs pictured on my shirt wouldn’t have been very tasty or useful early in their development, and an even longer wait time would be needed for fertilized eggs to hatch as healthy baby chicks. Another good comparison is the waiting for medicine or medical treatment to work, which rarely happens immediately but instead facilitates proper healing of the tissues and cellular functions involved. 

A worship song popular several years ago, “WayMaker,” resonated with many of us as we sang, “Even when I don’t see it, you’re working.” When things are not going my way, or at my preferred speed, I need to look at how I can grow and learn from the experience. Maybe I can be observant for things I might miss if I moved forward more quickly, or things that will prepare me to encourage someone else. 

Most of all, like Habakkuk, I can remind myself that that God is still there, has a plan, and can be trust, so I while I wait, “I will rejoice!”