Patience: A Kingdom Virtue

By Jeremiah Smith

Everyday I’m confronted by a culture where “waiting” or “patience” are taboo words.  We want fulfillment of our wants and desires as fast as we can cook Kraft Dinner in the microwave.  It’s sort of ironic don’t you think?  We live in a world where I can have breakfast in Ottawa and dinner in London, England; yet we are no more patient (or happier).

God has been reminding me a lot about patience.  I find many young people, myself included, have been conditioned by a culture of the “instant”.  We want to do great things for God, we want to change the world for Him.  We want to see His Kingdom come, His will be done and we want it NOW!

We have the passion, but do we have the patience?  If we have passion, but not patience we are in very dangerous waters for when we are tired of waiting we often take matters into our own hand.  When we try to do Gods work without God it only ends badly.  However when we are patient, waiting upon God we are effective.

If my generation could focus on what Christ has done for us.  If we could listen and hear before we do.  If we could wait on the Lord, trusting in His timing.  If we could learn patience.

Cause Jesus only did what He saw You do
And He would only say what He heard You speak
And He would only move when He felt You lead
Following Your heart following Your spirit

So How could I expect to walk without You
When every move that Jesus made was in surrender
I will not begin to live without You
For You alone are worthy and You are always good