Patience For What We Do Not Yet See

 

And the people became impatient

              on the way.

             Numbers 21. 4

In the Hebrew, impatient

literally means 

      "reap too early."

When we do not trust God

  for His goodness

                  and timing,

we are digging up

  what God has planted

       before it bears fruit.

And then we wonder why

  there is no life there.

We are the ones who miss out,

not just in the outcome,

  but the growing season.

With impatience comes

taking things into

             our own hands

as if we know better than God.

And what we reap is

weariness, anxiety, fear, stress,

a bounty crop of 

    what we don't want,

and missing out

          on His goodness.

O LORD,

Help us to trust You

  not just for Your goodness,

but Your wonders

  growing beneath the surface,

deep roots and abundant fruit,

     that we don't yet see.

Not only holding out for it,

  but cultivating the very ground

  You have entrusted us.

In the ordinary and extraordinary,

  You are creating

         the great and holy.

Help us to trust You in this day 

  when we don't yet see

what You are nurturing

       in us

       and through us.