James 5:7-8

Thanks for sharing!

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.You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.”

It’s hard to wait. Especially when you know something good is coming. The Bible frequently reminds us that this world is not our home and that we have some pretty great things to look forward to in God’s kingdom. Sometimes we can get so focused on that yearning for things to come that we forget our mission here and mentally check out too soon. We forget that we are a part of bringing God’s kingdom to earth. We are active participants in bringing the fulfillment of all that we hope for.

I’m no farmer (and I’m saving any real gardening I want to do for heaven so that I don’t have weeds to contend with…). But I have planted the occasional tomato seed, and I have a raspberry bush that fortunately is capable of managing itself pretty well. Waiting for that fruit is hard, and sometimes when you pick a tomato or a raspberry a little too soon you regret it. What could have been sweet and juicy is hard and a little tart. Patience helps you pick the right fruit at the right time.

If waiting is hard right now, focus on where God has you on your path. He has a mission for you, with lessons along the way, and he is bringing about some amazing fruit both in your life and for the whole world. So be patient. Stay hopeful. Don’t pick your fruit too soon. God’s Spirit has been poured out, he is near, and he is coming back to rescue us.