Learning Patience

Hello Emmanuel,

It’s that time of year again!  Time to sit in front of the tv and watch the most grueling, exhausting, competitive, 21-day sporting event of the year.  That’s right!  The Tour De France!

For those who don’t know, the Tour De France is THE bicycle race of the year:  21 days of 198 bicyclists riding through wind, rain, mountains and crazy people.  Since it takes place in France, it is live on TV from about 8:00 in the morning until 12:00.  That’s right!  Four hours of bicycle racing!  I try to watch it live.  If I can’t, I tape it and watch it later.

Ok.. so it isn’t quite as exciting as I’m making it sound.  Actually, there is probably a reason the race doesn’t get great ratings.  It’s a bit boring.  If you don’t know the intricacies of bicycle racing strategy, it is REALLY boring.

So I’m probably a little weird.  I’ve long learned this about myself.  I seem to enjoy events that require a long, patient grind to them.  I also would love a 4 hour chess match and have been known to watch the entire America’s Cup race (that’s a yacht race that rivals the boredom of the Tour De France).  So for those who think I’m patient because I can watch a 3 hour baseball game…  I’m even weirder than that.

This leads me to today’s topic:  patience.  I’ve had to learn patience over the course of my ministry career and in life in general.  However, specifically in ministry, patience is truly a virtue.  I don’t think I’ve ever prayed for patience, but I’ve certainly had to practice it.  Any large organization that is made up of people (churches, businesses, corporations, social clubs, political groups, etc) always seemed to move at a sluggish rate in my mind.  The time it takes to dream, plan, implement and evaluate has often frustrated me.  I have had to learn patience.  To learn patience, I’ve practiced patience.

I like to see it as a spiritual practice, though some may not think that watching 4 hours of pedaling very spiritual… or very productive.  However, it has taught me how to cope just enough to not lose my mind.  For those who see me as an impatient pastor, you may be frightened to think how I would be if I didn’t practice patience.  I would agree.  It frightens me too.  I likely wouldn’t be able to lead a church…. Certainly not a larger church. 

So for those of you who are frustrated with your lack of patience, you could pray for it.  However, after you pray for it, you might want to lend a hand to answering those prayers:  practice it.  In a world that runs 1,000 miles per hour, find a way to slow it all down.  When you can do so as a discipline, it will help you cope with those areas in life that you just can’t wait for. 

Now back to pedaling…

God is Good,

Pastor Joe