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Abortion. Poverty. Malnutrition. Slavery. Oppression. War. Famine. Drought. AIDS. Abuse.
"What a Wonderful World," right?
When faced with any one of these tragedies, it's easy to be fired up and feel ready to hit it head on.
But where do we start?
You know, Jesus told a story about this once. Soon before His crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples a parable. In this parable, a man was going on a journey and entrusted his servants with money before he left. To one servant he gave five talents, to one servant he gave two talents, and to another servant he gave one talent. When he returned, he called his servants to give account for how they managed his money. The servant with the five talents and the servant with the two talents both doubled the amount that their master had entrusted to them. Interestingly, the master gave both servants the exact same compliment, even though one servant gained five talents and one servant gained two. They both were faithful stewards with what they were given, and they both heard: "'"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master"'" (Matthew 25:21, 23). The servant with the two talents wasn't responsible for the five the other servant had. He was only held accountable for the two that had been entrusted to him, and for what he did with what he was given.
Maybe we feel like we should be changing the world in big, noteworthy ways. While it is true that we could be called to do big things, we are also often called to do small things. It doesn't matter how big our works are; what matters is our faithfulness to what God has called us to do. Sometimes we may want bigger responsibilities than we have been entrusted with - but here Jesus gives encouragement. Whenever you find yourself doing something that you know is God's will (like cleaning your room) but not on your list of life goals, remember the master's words to his servants: "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master."
God is sovereign over you, where you live, who you know, what you're good at, what you enjoy. He knows what righteous burden is on your heart (be it abortion in your city or slavery in Africa), because He put it there. What good work He has begun in you, He will complete. With unmatchable knowledge and perfect timing, He will guide you as you seek to magnify Him in your God-given mission and faithfully complete any tasks He has called you to do now. You can't do it alone. You can't do it all. It is a good thing you don't have to.
Believe it or not, there is no Superman or Superwoman with special powers to save the world. That is God's job. And He is doing it. And, wonder of wonders, He is using us to do it. We don't have to invent a world-saving plan. God already has one. We don't have to solve the world's problems - and we couldn't even if we tried. We are only called to be faithful where God has us, be that the halls of Congress or the halls of our own home. God multiplied the loaves and fish. He can multiply our feeble efforts in His service.
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Nine months is a long time to wait. When we found out that a new arrival would be joining our family, I thought that October 10th was forever away. Slowly but surely the days passed, and now my baby brother’s due date is just around the corner. Patience may be a virtue, but it’s not easy.
There are several different possible definitions for “patience.” We might think of being patient with siblings or others in our lives. Maybe our long wait during the week for the weekend school break comes to mind (or perhaps the even longer wait for a sibling’s arrival)! Those are definitely ways that patience is applied in our lives, but do they have anything in common? What is patience itself? In a few words, patience means living the way God wants us to even when we don’t feel like it. In addition to the scenarios we already talked about (life with irritations or longing for something in the future), patience is also needed when we have unexpected difficulties or changes in our plans. When situations turn stressful, patience is necessary to avoid conflict. Patience has many different applications, but it is the same idea: continuing to do good even when our circumstances are discouraging.
Why is it important that we have patience? The main reason to have patience is because God tells us that we should possess it. Psalm 37:7 says to “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him.” Galatians 5:22 tells us that patience is a fruit of the Spirit; patience is the mark of God’s work in a Christian’s life. Whenever God tells us something we need to have, it’s because He knows we need it. In the second place, we should have patience because God does, and He should be our example in every area of life. Undoubtedly, God has more patience than anyone else ever could have. Many times in the Bible we are told that God is “slow to anger” (Ex. 34:6). Also, in 1 Timothy 1:16, Paul wrote that God showed mercy to him in order to “demonstrate His perfect patience…” Without patience, we only get frustrated. We realize all too quickly that we can’t control all the events that take place in our lives and get angry when our plans crumble. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 urges us to “be patient with everyone.” That’s hard to do! Everyone?! When someone wrongs us, patience is necessary to respond correctly. In addition to frustrating ourselves, without patience, we also frustrate those around us. It’s no fun being around someone who grumbles at the slightest offenses and disappointments. We need patience in order to react in a godly manner to situations and changes in our plans that annoy us. A lack of patience can definitely damage our witness. When Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians 13, he writes that “Love is patient” and that love “bears all things…endures all things…” God proves His love for us by His patience, and He calls us to do the same.
So, now that we’ve determined what patience is and our need for it, how do we go about cultivating it? First of all, we must realize the reality of God’s omniscience and omnipresence. Those are big words to communicate a big (yet simple) truth: God knows everything and is everywhere. That means that He knows what we need and He sees everything in our lives. Nothing escapes His notice! We don’t have to worry about whether or not He really knows what He’s doing. He sees the person who wronged us. He knows how eagerly we look forward to a certain event. We can just rest in the fact that God knows what’s going on. Secondly, we need to remind ourselves that GOD is in control, not us. Not only does God know what’s happening in our lives, He also controls what goes on! Again, Psalm 37:7 is a good reminder: “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him.” Psalm 37 goes on to say “…those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land” (v. 8). He will ultimately determine the outcome of whatever situations we may face; as our all-powerful God, nothing is too hard for Him. We can be patient and trust that God knows what to do and is able to do it. Lastly, we must remember God’s love and concern for us. God’s very nature is love, as the apostle John tells us: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7). We can take comfort in the nature of God; He loves us enough, knows enough, and is powerful enough to take care of everything we’ll ever need. We don’t need to get riled up when someone mistreats us – God saw what happened, and He’ll take care of it. Thankfully, there is no reason for us to be impatient when what we want to have now seems too far away. God knows what we need and will give it to us when we need it, and He’ll also give us something to do while we wait! All we need to do is cultivate patience by reminding ourselves of His power, realizing the extent of His knowledge, and resting in His love.
John H. Sammis was very discerning when he wrote the hymn, “Trust and Obey.” All of the verses are full of insight into the difficulty of patience when it’s hard to trust God. One of the verses talks about God’s continued presence with us while we are patient: “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey.” The chorus goes on to say, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey” (emphasis added). Even while we wait for my youngest brother’s entrance into this world, my family and I can rest in the knowledge that God has planned for his arrival already. We don’t need to worry about it; He’ll take care of it. While it’s hard for us to wait, we can, because God has plenty for us to do in the meantime. After all, all we need to do is trust and obey, right? He’ll take care of everything else.
Author’s note: God always rewards those who wait! My baby brother, Josiah Nathaniel, was born September 28, 2008. Everyone is doing well. God is good!
Kayla had always wanted a puppy. When she was three, she preferred stuffed animals (usually dogs) over the baby dolls most of the other girls her age enjoyed. As a six-year-old, the newly-reading Kayla chose books about dogs instead of the popular books in her age range. Now that Kayla was eleven, the desire to have a dog of her own was just as strong as ever. Kayla had begged her parents for years to allow her to get a dog. They always told her the same thing. “As soon as you can demonstrate the responsibility and knowledge that is necessary to be a pet-owner, we’ll consider getting you a pet,” they would say.
One day, Kayla’s neighbor, Mrs. Tyler, rang the doorbell. Mrs. Tyler explained that she would be going on vacation. “Would you be able to watch my dog for me?” she asked. Excited, Kayla hurried to ask her parents. For one week, Kayla gave Mrs. Tyler’s dog food and water, walked her, and brushed her. When Mrs. Tyler returned, she was pleased with the care her dog had received and recommended Kayla’s services to all her friends. As a result, Kayla gained more business. In addition, Kayla had been given several books on dogs and dog care and was studying them with great interest. For every book she read, Kayla took notes. Every time she went somewhere for a job, she would ask the owner questions about dog care. Kayla now had three dogs to walk, several books to read, and papers full of information from books and friends on everything from what dogs eat to how long they live to how to teach a dog to sit to, well, you get the picture.
At last, Kayla brought home her very own dog. She was ready! Dog-walking gave her the responsibility she needed to become a pet owner. Studying gave her the knowledge necessary to care for a dog. Never for one minute did she regret the time she had spent working and studying. Now she was excellently prepared to take on training and caring for her new pet.
No matter what we’re waiting for, we can busy ourselves while wait. Ephesians 5:15-16 says: “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time…” 
Instead of just twiddling our thumbs while we wait, we should actively use the time we’ve been given. If you’re waiting for a pet, like Kayla, you can research the animal you’re hoping to get. If you’re looking forward to your birthday, you can spend time helping others or memorizing Scripture passages. The important thing is that we use our time glorifying God, and not just serving ourselves. Time really seems to pass more quickly when we’re busy, but we should be sure that we’re doing something to serve God and not something to just pass the time.
Throughout the existence of the tribe, the people had been waiting. The promises of their God and the words of their prophets had long told of a coming Helper. One said, “‘For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace’” (Isaiah 9:6). Another foretold, “‘In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, “The LORD our righteousness”’” (Jeremiah 23:6). Centuries had passed since the last of these prophecies had been given, and some of the promises had existed millennias before. How long was this people supposed to wait? [As a conquered people, the small nation was overrun and oppressed by their conquerors.] They were desperate for their promised Helper.
Simeon was one of those waiting. He was “righteous and devout,” and patiently trusted in the Author of the ancient promises. Simeon never lost hope. In God’s perfect timing, all of the prophecies and promises were perfectly fulfilled. “‘[T]oday in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2:11). “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us…righteousness…” (1 Corinthians 1:30). When Simeon finally witnessed the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies, he praised God and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel’” (Luke 2:29-32).
As an example to us, Simeon waited for the consolation of Israel and trusted in the One who promised a Helper. In the same way, we today can patiently serve the same God even when the situation looks doubtful and trust the Name of Him who said: “‘For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Has a brother or sister ever frustrated you with something they did? Have you ever been paired with a “know-it-all” for a project? If so, then you understand how Moses felt when the very people he had sacrificed for and served for many years said, “‘Why have you made us come up from Egypt…?’” (Num. 20:5). In spite of all that Moses did for the Israelites, there were numerous times where they challenged, insulted, and even accused him.
Every one of us struggles with irritations. Those irritations are generally brought on by our circumstances or the people around us. According to Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, to be irritated means “To excite anger; to provoke; to tease; to exasperate”. Irritations are common in life. How should we respond to them? First, we should thank God for them. I Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in everything. That is just the opposite of what we want to do! If we thank God for our irritations, we gain a new mindset – our eyes are now open to see our situation as God sees it. God is bigger than whatever annoys us, so He can put an end to it whenever He needs to. However, He wants the best for us and often uses what annoys us to help us grow. Secondly, we should ask ourselves if anything we did annoyed the other person, causing them to annoy us. If so, we need to make that right. Lastly, if we have done nothing to cause the irritation, we need to consider what fruit God is trying to develop in us. Is God trying to teach us self-control? Patience? Love? Another way to dissolve our irritation with someone is to go out of our way to do something nice and unexpected for them. Instead of angrily insisting on our rights and demanding that the other person stop irritating us, God wants us to patiently lay down our rights and allow Him to judge us and the other person one day (1 Peter 2:23). God wants us to deal with irritations His way, not our way.
God does more than just “put up” with us. Even though we sin daily and often do the exact opposite of what He wants us to do, He seeks what is best for us, even when that means allowing His Son to die for us. Next time you’re irritated, pray that God will help you to see the situation His way, not your way. Thank Him for working in your life every day, and follow His leading to resolve the irritation.
