Waiting Impatiently

Waiting does not seem to be a normal human trait. We have to learn to wait. It also seems that it is a trait that is easily unlearned. While most of us had learned to be patient during the Covid pandemic, many now seem as impatient (or even more so) than they were before. Impatience comes from a variety of reasons. Although the usual suspect is selfishness. We do not want to waste our time waiting for something or someone. We want to have our wishes fulfilled instantaneously. Our impatience shows by the fact that others make money off of it. For a few more dollars you can get overnight shipping. Subscribe to our streaming service and be able to see the new program early. Bank with us and get your paycheck early. I wonder how much money is spent on our impatience?

You would think the Israelites were used to waiting. How long did they have to wait before God brought them out of Egypt? How long had they traveled to get to Mount Sinai? Instead of waiting for Moses to return from the mountain they set about making their own god – a golden calf. How could a chunk of gold end their waiting? The answer is, “It could not.” But then if you do not have patience anything seems to be a better solution than waiting. In the end, their impatience caused them to wait longer. Moses, after breaking the first set of the law, had to return to the mountain to receive them again.

I would suggest that our impatience causes us more trouble than we realize. We try to do things too quickly and end up having to spend more time at a task, possibly having to repair something we broke. Our impatience can also affect our health – raise our blood pressure or give us ulcers. Jesus calls us to a different way of life. While Paul is talking about his sin and the length of time that it took him to hear Jesus’ call he reminds us of the patience of Jesus. It is because Jesus was patient with him and continued to work with him that he was able to see and receive the gift that Jesus offered. We are called to live with that kind of patience. We can do no other if we follow Jesus.

While the world bustles about trying to hurry things along, we are able to look to Jesus who is the way and the truth and the life of the world. As Paul reminds us, we live in Jesus’ time who calls us to imitate him – as he was patient with us, we are called to be patient with others. We have already received the greatest gift that is offered – the gift of faith, salvation, and everlasting life. Nothing is more precious than this. Having it freely given is just another bonus. What we do with God’s gift is our call. 

We are called to give to the world that which we have been given. As the prayer says we offer ourselves, our time, and our possessions. We do so out of great thanks for the gift that we have been given through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. So there is no need to be impatient. Instead of showing impatience, show the world how to wait patiently, reminded that all time is with God.