I write about Stuff

“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near…” —James 5:7–11

Patience is becoming a foreign language in our modern world. We live in a culture built on speed, convenience, and instant gratification. We stream movies without waiting for them to download. We order meals with a tap and track the driver in real time. We expect next‑day delivery, same‑day delivery, or better yet — delivery within the hour. The idea of waiting feels outdated, almost unreasonable.

But James reminds us that patience is not optional for the follower of Christ. It is essential. It is the posture of a heart anchored in hope. It is the lifestyle of someone who believes that God’s promises are certain, even if His timing is not predictable.

James invites us to look at the farmer — a person who understands waiting better than most. A farmer cannot rush the rain or force the harvest. He cannot command the clouds or accelerate the seasons. He prepares the soil, plants the seed, and then waits with expectation. He trusts that what he cannot see is still happening beneath the surface. He believes that the rains will come, the sun will shine, and the harvest will ripen in its appointed time.

This is the picture James paints for believers as we wait for the Lord’s return. We are called to live with the same steady, hopeful patience — not passive, not indifferent, but active and expectant. We prepare our hearts. We sow seeds of faith. We serve faithfully. And we trust that God is working in ways we cannot yet see.

The Challenge of Waiting in a Hurried World

Waiting for Christ’s return can feel difficult, especially when the world around us seems increasingly chaotic. We see moral confusion, spiritual apathy, and cultural trends that drift further from God’s design. We feel the weight of injustice, suffering, and brokenness. Our hearts long for Jesus to come and make all things new.

It is natural to feel weary. It is natural to long for the day when faith becomes sight. But James encourages us to take courage — not because the world is improving, but because the Lord is near. His nearness is not measured by our clocks but by His promise. Every passing day brings us closer to His return, not further away.

And while we wait, James warns us not to turn on one another. Hard seasons can make us irritable, impatient, and easily frustrated. But grumbling against one another only weakens our witness and distracts us from our hope. The Judge, James says, is standing at the door. His presence should shape our posture — toward Him and toward each other.

Learning from Those Who Waited Before Us

James points us to the prophets — men and women who spoke God’s truth in difficult times and endured suffering with steadfast faith. They waited for promises they never saw fulfilled in their lifetime, yet they remained faithful. Their endurance is honored because it reflects a deep trust in God’s character.

And then James mentions Job — a man who endured unimaginable suffering yet clung to God. Job’s story is not one of quick answers or instant relief. It is a story of perseverance, honesty, wrestling, and ultimately, restoration. James reminds us that “the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.” Job’s endurance was not wasted. His waiting was not ignored. God was working all along.

Why Patience Matters in the Waiting

Patience is not simply about enduring time; it is about trusting God’s timing. The delay of Christ’s return is not a sign of God’s indifference but of His mercy. Every day He waits is another day for someone to hear the gospel, another day for a prodigal to come home, another day for a hardened heart to soften.

This truth becomes deeply personal when we think of the people we love — family members, friends, children, spouses — who have not yet placed their faith in Christ. God’s patience is their opportunity. And our patience becomes part of His work in their lives.

While we wait, we pray. We love. We share. We live faithfully. We sow seeds that may take years to sprout. And we trust that God is working in ways we cannot yet see.

A Hope That Steadies the Heart

Waiting patiently for the Lord’s return does not mean disengaging from the world. It means living with purpose, urgency, and hope. It means remembering that this world is not our final home. It means trusting that God’s timing is perfect, His promises are sure, and His mercy is wide.

The Lord is near. The harvest is coming. And while we wait, we walk in faith.