Patience and perseverance

James 5 : 7 - 12

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy

One of the reasons, in fact probably one of the root causes of not remaining patient and persevering is distrust of God. After all, if he does not really have our good in mind, why should we 'wait upon him' and persevere in the midst of difficulties? It would seem - practically better anyway, to take over from him - since we might do a better job. When I thought of it this way, I realized why I sometimes have a difficult time 'waiting' when God seems so s-l-o-w to get things done. In fact, he seems worse than a s-n-a-i-l especially when it comes to something I find really important.

But James inserts the reminder- that puts everything in perspective: The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. This is not the easiest thing to hang on to - even Job that most godly man had a hard time in his day. Many arguments, much distress accompanied his miserable condition when struck down. So it will be with me. It will remain a struggle to hold on - patiently, with perseverance.......when inner and outer voices seem to call out 'Don't just sit there, do something!'

Being immersed more and more in contemplative spirituality is an antidote for me. The Desert Fathers and others down the ages remind us from their lived wisdom that "It is ok when all you are called to do is wait with patience and perseverance". I tell myself time and again, "It is ok" because this lesson is a particularly difficult one to be mastered by (yes, it is not a lesson I can master - it has to take hold of me)

At this time when I am finally in the midst of midlife (previously just skipping around the edges) there is much more waiting and persevering than ever before. Many things are less clear, energies are insufficient to 'take on the world' and well, the Lord seems to have s-l-o-w-e-d down. Maybe I am the one getting more attuned to him now, rather than happily dancing to my own tune. But one thing remains ever the same: The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, whatever my stage in life.