Patience is not a waiting passivity until someone else does something. Patience asks us to live the moment to the fullest, to be completely present to the moment, to taste the here and now, to be where we are. When we are impatient we try to get away from where we are. We behave as if the real thing will happen tomorrow, later and somewhere else. Let’s be patient and trust that the treasure we look for is hidden in the ground on which we stand.
So often over the years I have found myself the impatient person described above, especially when it comes to waiting for God to act. I wanted to believe that the “real thing,” the better thing, my true purpose, was always just around the corner, just over the horizon, just about to happen.
I think the most fervent and continuously prayed prayer of my adult life has been some version of this: “Show me your will for my life, God, and I’ll go do it. Just show me. Make it clear.” And then I would add parenthetically: “It would be nice if you would do that soon, please. But not TOO soon because I still have this and this and this to take care of…”
Whatever it lacks, this kind of prayer is still a prayer of faith. But the problem, as Henri Nouwen points out, is that this kind of faith seems to deny the importance of who I am and what I am supposed to be doing right now, on “the ground on which we stand.” It says, “I’m getting impatient here, God, and where I am right now can’t possibly be where you want me to be…there has to be something better.”
To be sure, there’s nothing wrong in asking God for direction. And there’s nothing wrong in telling God that you are open to his call for your future. Our ongoing journeys of discerning God’s will are the most important things we do as mature Christians. Nevertheless, if we continually ask God, “what do you want me to do?” we may be ignoring what’s in front of our eyes. Right now, we’re called to respond to the life God has given and the situation into which God has placed us. Good or bad. Healthy or unhealthy. Successful or not. We are called to embrace the present, to be aware of God’s movement right now, to act in response to our current circumstances and not just wish for better days somewhere in the future when we will have a clearer sense of purpose and call. We are called to be patient.
So I’m asking myself today (on my 52nd birthday!): How am I responding (or not responding) to those around me? How am I caring for (or ignoring) those in need? What social injustice has slipped off my radar screen because I’m too busy asking God what he wants me to do some day down the road? How much of the beauty of today will I miss because I’m impatient or anxious about tomorrow?
Our ability to be both truly present to one another and aware of God’s presence in our lives is a gift unto itself. It is our calling. There’s nothing more important we can do today.
13 comments On Patience: Treasuring the Ground on Which We Stand
Thanks Steve . . . . this is exactly what we needed to hear today. We are putting on another layer of “the armor of God” as we prepare for more battle against the leukemia in Sandy’s body. The stem cell transplant done last October has worked, just not fast enough. More chemotherapy begins for five days next Monday. We’d appreciate your prayers.
Blessings & Happy Birthday, Sandy & Sherry Harper
Happy Birthday Steve,
I find great inspiration in what you write.
Thank you.
Dear Steve,
Thank you for this timely, important reminder to live in the present moment and to respond to ourselves, our fellow human beings, and the world in this moment. And happy birthday, dear friend.
“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”
― Frederick Buechner, Now and Then: A Memoir of Vocation
Jill
Happy Birthday, SJG! You know, that prayer you said you have too often prayed (show me Lord, but not too soon) is one that I’ve prayed, too. As well as that longing for discernment for some future mission. And you are so right on it. Today is what matters, the ground where we stand or sit or lie is what matters. I think advancing years has helped me see that better. I’ll be 69 in a few days, and I have to often remind myself that I probably am not going to win a Pulitzer Prize, or take one of those cool new jobs promoting Green Energy, or go to some foreign land on a mission trip. I don’t have 20 years to develop a new career focus…and yet I still feel the pull of those things when I hear about them. “If only I were a young person, I could look forward to….” When I stop and look at the blessings in my life, of the people I have known, of those whose lives have touched mine, I realize the truth of what you are saying here and more. Blessing to you in this season, dear friend.
Thanks, JL!
You have given so much to so many over the years, including to me in my young days as a writer and PR hack! Your gentle, guiding editing made me a better writer and your kind, wise spirit made me a better person. I have been blessed by knowing you.
You have a lot left to share and do. I hope I see you in 2012.
Steve
Thanks, Jill, for sharing this journey with me. I treasure our lunch conversations and our friendship. And thanks for sharing this to your friends. Looking forward to sharing Parker Palmer and Carrie Newcomer with you soon!
Steve
Steve, It seems to me that you have found your calling and share it with many. Reading your reflections and the blog comments make it very apparent that your love of writing and your use of the internet to share those inner thoughts are not accidental. God has answered your prayers every day. Hope your birthday was fantastic!
Happy Birthday Steve…As always, I savor your writing…peace and good to you
Hi Steve;
You know, I’ve known you for a long time & well, am still younger than you, but that’s not the point. I think that praying for a sign or answer is so common. It’s a collective impatience & maybe an American’s lifestyle. I’m listening to Eckhardt Tolle’s, “Power of Now” and I think his emphasis on being present in the now is poignant b/c it takes the burden off the pain of past and worry of the future. It was great reading your reflection (as always), and it directly relates to what I’m listening to….I guess our maturity (yours a little b4 mine) is God’s way of letting you know that you’re getting it… Now keep passing it on. 🙂
PS: you really have many gifts & what makes you so endearing is that you’re humble about them. I’m lovin ur photography.
PSS: you also have the Pulitzer of spouses.
As always, am trying to take your writings to heart, as well as all the “comments” attached. There are gems everywhere you look. Peace and love to you and all your readers.
My friends and readers are all vert smart and insightful themselves!
Happy belated BD Steve and thank you for this beautiful reminder of the importance of being present to our precious moments of life in all it’s varied color! It reminds me of the “uselessness of worry”; that when our focus is on concerns we can readily lose sight of what is right in front of us and miss out on all the life and love surrounding us.
Keeping you and this beautiful circle of friends and readers in prayer as always,
Kathleen
Crucial content so far for me. I’m so glad to meet you here. I’m not forget to tell you happy birth day and wish you very best luck steve. Thanks!