‍

“Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’”
Isaiah 46:10

‍ ‍

“Monty Python and The Holy Grail” is a ridiculous and accurate assessment of humanity and its silliness.

‍ ‍

Besides the “special effects” of knocking coconuts together, to create the galloping of horse hooves, as none of the actors used horses, filming their Knights of the Roundtable, throughout the storytelling, there was a running bit. People’s patience was wearing thin…

‍Droning on and on.

‍ ‍

Also known as “needing patience.”

‍ ‍

Groan.

‍ ‍

I’m sorry, I forgot, I am not supposed to do that, am I?

‍ ‍

“Therefore, as The Most High’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

‍ ‍

Colossians 3:12

‍ ‍

But groan I do, and come on, you do too, don’t you?

‍ ‍

If they, indeed, say, “patience is a virtue,” then, yes, I feel like an utmost scoundrel.

‍ ‍

Patience.

‍ ‍

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

‍ ‍

Romans 8:25

‍ ‍

Just the word causes sighs of frustration, doesn’t it?

‍ ‍

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

‍ ‍

Galatians 6:9

‍ ‍

I cannot tell you how many times I have groaned and, yeah, eye-rolled, at this scripture. It feels so often, to me, like only cold comfort.

‍ ‍

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don’t become weary in doing good things.

‍ ‍

Yeah, yeah, yeah, “at the right time” it’ll happen.

‍ ‍

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

‍ ‍

It will happen- our reward- if we don’t give up.

‍ ‍

We typically don’t start out cynical and jaded about patience, do we?

‍ ‍

Patience, In the Beginning.

‍ ‍

“In the morning, Elohim, You hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before You
and wait expectantly.”

‍ ‍

Psalm 5:3

‍ ‍

In the Beginning?

‍ ‍

Yes, usually, at the beginning of anything, including love, relationships, marriage, a career, a project, as yes, our very faith experiences, we are Gung Ho. We are excited. We are lit up.

‍ ‍

As a writer, I encounter this, most vividly, as I start a new piece of writing.

‍ ‍

Especially during the “brainstorming phase.”

‍ ‍

It is all lit with excitement, possibility, and wonder.

‍ ‍

Full steam ahead.

‍ ‍

Here is often where we believe something will be a “quick work.”

‍ ‍

My first book, “Thin Enough,” really felt like that.

‍ ‍

It started from a spiritual rededication experience in 1995. I felt like, from start to finish, it was going to take about two weeks, tops.

‍ ‍

Eh, you know where this is going right?

‍ ‍

Check the publication date on the inside of the book: 2006.

‍ ‍

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

‍ ‍

Galatians 6:9

‍ ‍

Patience, in the Middle.

‍ ‍

Yep. It took longer than two weeks. I was not expecting that.

‍ ‍

We usually don’t expect something to take “longer.”

‍ ‍

We like our instant gratification, our instant results.

‍ ‍

Therefore, at the three-an-a-half week mark, I was here:

‍I exaggerate a bit. I admit it. But the concept remained. Especially as the year continued to roll out.

‍ ‍

1995.

‍ ‍

Okay. Well, surely this year, right?

Okaaaay.

‍ ‍

1996. 1997. 1997. 1998. 1999. 2000.

‍ ‍

Oh come on! The Millenium?

‍ 2001. 2002. 2003. 2004.

‍ ‍

Some more well-doing. Some more well-doing, said with sarcasm and sighing.

‍ ‍

2005. 2006.

‍ ‍

Patience, in The End.

‍ ‍

And then… “Ta-dah!”

‍Only, it felt like a tired “Ta-dah,” as wonderful as its publication realization was.

‍ ‍

For we know, in our human hearts…

‍ ‍

“A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul…”

‍ ‍

Proverbs 13:19

‍ ‍

Longing. Fulfillment. Needs met to our souls: our mind, our will, and our emotions.

‍ ‍

He knows all of that, what that looks like.

‍ ‍

And, as much as we long for whatever we focus on, how much more does He!

‍ ‍

“Yet Elohim longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For Elohim is a YAH of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for Him!”

‍ ‍

Isaiah 30:18

‍ ‍

Again, there’s more patience.

‍ ‍

More waiting.

‍ I know.

‍ ‍

Again, it can feel like cold comfort.

‍ ‍

Waiting/patience can feel excruciating.

‍ ‍

How Much More?

‍ ‍

Again, here’s a thought to consider, again, that of “How Much More?”

‍ ‍

If it is excruciating for us, “how much more” is it for Him?

‍ ‍

“Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to Elohim your YAH,
for He is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and He relents from sending calamity.”

‍ ‍

Joel 2:13

‍ ‍

He loves us beyond our human comprehension. The best evidence of that?

‍ ‍

Our Savior.

‍ ‍

“How Much More?”

‍ Indeed. He DID get on with it. Yahshua.

‍ ‍

“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Yahshua Ha-Mashiach might display His immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life.”

‍ ‍

1 Timothy 1:16

‍

Let’s circle back toIsaiah 46:10…

‍ ‍

“Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure.’”

Time. Timing.

‍ ‍

It’s determined.

‍ ‍

Patience is in the center of it.

‍ ‍

You and I are, indeed, “getting on with it.”

‍ ‍

It’s a pep talk for me, as much as it is for you.

‍ ‍

Let’s pray.

‍ ‍

ABBA-

‍ ‍

We come to You, in Ther Name of Our Savior, Your Son, Yahshua.

‍ ‍

We need help with this patience thing.

‍ ‍

We are tired of waiting.

‍ ‍

We want results now.

‍ ‍

We know that You know that about us.

‍ ‍

Forgive us.

‍ ‍

You know our hearts: anxious, impatient, immature, selfish, and yeah, sometimes, even wicked.

‍ ‍

You know us, heart motives and all.

‍ ‍

You know how we struggle with being patient.

‍ ‍

Help us with all this waiting.

‍ ‍

Help us to stay focused on You.

‍ ‍

It sounds lofty. But You know that we need this help, even if we don’t mean it from our hearts when we say it.

“Get On With It?”

“Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’” Isaiah 46:10

‍ ‍

“Monty Python and The Holy Grail” is a ridiculous and accurate assessment of humanity and its silliness.

‍ ‍

Besides the “special effects” of knocking coconuts together, to create the galloping of horse hooves, as none of the actors used horses, filming their Knights of the Roundtable, throughout the storytelling, there was a running bit. People’s patience was wearing thin…

‍Droning on and on.

‍ ‍

Also known as “needing patience.”

‍ ‍

Groan.

‍ ‍

I’m sorry, I forgot, I am not supposed to do that, am I?

‍ ‍

“Therefore, as The Most High’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

‍ ‍

Colossians 3:12

‍ ‍

But groan I do, and come on, you do too, don’t you?

‍ ‍

If they, indeed, say, “patience is a virtue,” then, yes, I feel like an utmost scoundrel.

‍ ‍

Patience.

‍ ‍

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

‍ ‍

Romans 8:25

‍ ‍

‍ ‍

Just the word causes sighs of frustration, doesn’t it?

‍ ‍

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

‍ ‍

Galatians 6:9

‍ ‍

I cannot tell you how many times I have groaned and, yeah, eye-rolled, at this scripture. It feels so often, to me, like only cold comfort.

‍ ‍

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don’t become weary in doing good things.

‍ ‍

Yeah, yeah, yeah, “at the right time” it’ll happen.

‍ ‍

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

‍ ‍

It will happen- our reward- if we don’t give up.

‍ ‍

We typically don’t start out cynical and jaded about patience, do we?

‍ ‍

Patience, In the Beginning.

‍ ‍

“In the morning, Elohim, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly.”

‍ ‍

Psalm 5:3

‍ ‍

In the Beginning?

‍ ‍

Yes, usually, at the beginning of anything, including love, relationships, marriage, a career, a project, as yes, our very faith experiences, we are Gung Ho. We are excited. We are lit up.

‍ ‍

As a writer, I encounter this, most vividly, as I start a new piece of writing.

‍ ‍

Especially during the “brainstorming phase.”

‍ ‍

It is all lit with excitement, possibility, and wonder.

‍ ‍

Full steam ahead.

‍ ‍

Here is often where we believe something will be a “quick work.”

‍ ‍

My first book, “Thin Enough,” really felt like that.

‍ ‍

It started from a spiritual rededication experience in 1995. I felt like, from start to finish, it was going to take about two weeks, tops.

‍ ‍

Eh, you know where this is going right?

‍ ‍

Check the publication date on the inside of the book: 2006.

‍ ‍

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

‍ ‍

Galatians 6:9

‍ ‍

Patience, in the Middle.

“Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’”
Isaiah 46:10

“In the morning, Elohim, You hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before You
and wait expectantly.”

“Yet Elohim longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For Elohim is a YAH of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for Him!”

“Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to Elohim your YAH,
for He is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and He relents from sending calamity.”