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Advent devotions 2007

December 13 - Have patience. Have patience.
By Karen Graber, a senior elementary education major from Hurley, S.D.

Scripture: James 5:7-10 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete scripture.

Devotional:
"Have patience. Have patience. Don't be in such a hurry, cause when you're impatient you always start to worry. Remember, remember, that God is patient too. And think of all the times when others have to wait for you." Some of you may recognize these lyrics; it is the first verse to a song that I learned as a child in Bible School. This song, like many of those simple tunes, carry important messages that have stuck with me ever since.

As someone who grew up in a farming community, I have had the privilege of being exposed to a way of life that requires a certain level of patience. For me, it is from watching my parents, who are farmers, deal with the ups and downs of the weather conditions and the markets. Sometimes the mood in our house was tense, but in the end, worrying about whether the rain would come never changed anything.

Now, as we are in the third week of Advent, the anticipation for the peak of the Christmas season has been slowly accumulating. But like the song that I learned in my childhood, we need to be reminded that because of our humanity, worrying about things can not make them change any faster than they are meant to be. Thankfully, God is patient with us too. By giving us opportunities to wait for things we may want or desire, God gives us a chance to reflect on God's omniscience, and the ultimate gift that awaits us on Christmas Day when we can rejoice in the fruition of God's faithfulness.

Scripture: James 5:7-10 (NRSV)
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.