Patience can wear a person out!  At least being patient can.  But perhaps the certain style or design of patience that the Apostle Paul encourages us to wear is a bit different than what we normally think of. 

Here is what Paul writes in Colossians 3:12-14 (Amplified Bible):

¹² So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]; ¹³ bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. ¹⁴ Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].

The Amplified Bible describes it as longsuffering, tireless and powerful.  Patience with power?  Yes.  Power to endure whatever comes.

Are we there yet?  Is it time yet?  How do we wait, tirelessly?  How long can we endure?  What is this power to endure?  Perhaps it’s in whatever comes.  Maybe the power we receive to endure comes in the waiting itself, and all that God reveals to us about Godself – and about ourselves as well – while we wait.

Thomas Edison tried more than two thousand experiments before he got the lightbulb to work.  When a reporter asked him how it felt to fail so many times, Edison replied, “I didn’t fail.  I just discovered two thousand ways how NOT to make a lightbulb.”

The power to endure, to keep at it, to be patient with process, with our personal effort, with the longsuffering tread of daily work that it takes to see something through is wearying.  But it can also be strengthening.  It can be creative.  It will be rewarding in the end.  Paul writes in 2^nd Timothy 4:7-8:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 

Endurance brings its own reward, and Paul felt there was a spiritual reward, as well as a personal one.  Notice that he does not say he has won the race.  No.  Paul has finished the race.  And still, he looks toward the crown he is to receive.  It’s not just a laurel wreath placed on the head of the Olympic runner, but that God, the righteous judge who watches the race, will award the wreaths to all who cross the finish line.  Running the race, enduring the distance, brings the reward. 

“Clothe yourselves with patience – which is tireless, long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper.”  [Colossians 3:12]

I taught Elementary Music at Regal Elementary in Hillyard for a long time – a long time ago – and one of the little kids’ favorite folks songs was one you’ve known since you were a little kid.  And it has a lot to teach us about patience – and waiting.

She’ll be comin’ round the mountain when she comes…

 She’ll be drivin’ six white horses when she comes…

And we’ll all go out to meet her when she comes…

We will kill the old red rooster when she comes…

And we’ll all have chicken and dumplins when she comes…

What is the most important part of this song???  The words “when she comes!”  We have no idea when the woman drivin’, bringin’ those six white horses is comin’ round that mountain.  But…, we’ll be ready to meet her, to fix a chicken dinner with dumplins for her – AND for all of us!  And that poor, worried old rooster who’s been pacing and crowing, and crowing and pacing, will finally be at peace!  We are not just sitting around, folks!  We’re making plans!  We’re feeding the chickens and having Dumplin’ Bake-Offs!!  We’re grooming that rooster!  We’ve got our Welcome Signs painted up!  And the Livery Stable is adding stalls!  And last I heard, a youngster got himself a brand new pair of binoculars.  He wants to be the first one to see that lady come round the mountain!  

Just like those under Roman occupation so long ago longing for a savior, and those suffering under Russian aggression today fighting for survival of their country, we do well to care for ourselves, for those around us, and to look to our future together while we wait.  We are called to endure, to pay attention even as we suffer, and perhaps, while waiting, to look for God at work.

Psalm 40 is a beautiful hymn for waiting.  Here are some excerpts from The Message Bible for us to take in with our ears, our hearts, and our remembrances of times when we have had to keep patience near… It is such a human expression.

Psalm 40; excerpts from The Message Bible

 ^1-3 I waited and waited and waited for God.  At last, he looked; finally he listened.

He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn’t slip.
He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God.

More and more people are seeing this:
they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God.

^4-5 Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,

turn your backs on the world’s “sure thing,” ignore what the world worships;
The world’s a huge stockpile of God-wonders and God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one compares to you!

11 Now God, don’t hold out on me, don’t hold back your passion.
Your love and truth are all that keeps me together.

^16-17 But all who are hunting for you — oh, let them sing and be happy.
Let those who know what you’re all about

tell the world you’re great and not quitting…
You can do it; you’ve got what it takes — but God, don’t put it off.

An owl, a pig, a bear, a puppy, and a rabbit have much to teach us in Kevin Henkes’ award-winning book for children titled “Waiting”.  [Excerpt]

“There were five of them and they were waiting.

The owl with spots was waiting for the moon.

The pig with the umbrella was waiting for the rain.

The bear with the kite was waiting for the wind.

The puppy on the sled was waiting for the snow.

The rabbit with stars wasn’t waiting for anything in particular.  He just liked to look out the window and wait.”  (I think he must have been a Quaker Rabbit!)

Each is waiting for something.  Well, except for the rabbit who is happy just looking out the window – to wait!  We’re all waiting for something.  What happens while we wait?  Beyond the concerns we hold or joys we anticipate, life is happening!  Day comes and night falls.  So much mystery.  Are we tending to the life God reveals to and through us, or are we wound tightly in a focus on something we have no power to control?

I often think, hope, and trust that the things we long for are known to God.  Nothing needed is lost or has fallen away.  Nothing is ignored.  God sees and knows what must be done, but in ‘good order’, as Friends like to say.  Perhaps another’s need must be met in order for our concern to be answered.  God is working God’s purpose out in our lives as well as those around us.  The boundaries and strictures we feel might be protection we need from costly mistakes.  This is where the giving over of ourselves to waiting for the Lord can bring strength and heart to our lives. ‘Wait for the Lord – keep watch – take heart.” Let us release God’s power in us to endure, to enjoy, to see beyond sight into what we’re given while we wait for whatever comes.

Prayer:        Dear Lord, Your power, my patience, my release. Amen.

This message was given by Ruthie Tippin to Spokane Friends during Sunday morning worship on August 20, 2023.

References: ‘Waiting’ by Kevin Henkes, Greenwillow Books, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpOHL81Q94c