From the Heart of the Pastor

I am spoiled.  In this “instant” world, I often catch myself getting frustrated when things don’t come “instantly.”  In fact, I am becoming convinced that having everything instantly available to us has made us even busier than before.  The other day I actually caught myself getting frustrated that an email was not coming through in the number of seconds I thought it should.  Think about that, words and thoughts fly through cyberspace instantly, but undoubtedly not fast enough for me.  That is at best misguided and at worst sinful.  I can’t speak for you, but I need to be careful that I don’t value speed above quality.  You can get a hamburger pretty fast these days, but that doesn’t mean it’s a hamburger you want to eat.

          The Bible is not silent on this issue.  As we read together just a couple of weeks ago, James says, “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.  See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.  You also, be patient.  Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.  Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”  Impatience is a form of grumbling.  The danger is not really that we want things too quickly.  The real danger is the underlying mindset.  We are not kingdom focused.  When I am impatient, I am likely missing whatever God has for me in that moment of waiting.  Maybe I should be praying, maybe I should be witnessing, or maybe I should just be focused on him.

          Notice also the emphasis on the passage about the second coming of Christ.  God’s timing is perfect.  Regardless of how or why I am delayed, it is not beyond God’s sovereignty and the unfolding of his plan.  Not only should I remember this next time I am in a fast food line that is taking too long, but we should remember this in the life of the church as well.  At Oak Crest, let’s “establish our hearts.”  Let’s settle in for the long, hard work of the Kingdom.  The timing of it all is his timing, not ours.  As we are patient and diligent in the work of glorifying God through evangelism and worship and discipleship, he will be faithful to bring the fruit each day of our lives.

 
In Christ,

Blain Craig