Patience

Photo by Kit (formerly ConvertKit) on Unsplash

In his book titled Seasons of the Soul: Stages of Spiritual Development, Bruce Demarest speaks of spiritual growth as “an upward spiral”. He outlines cycles of transformation that include spiritual beginnings in which one is in a place of orientation, spiritual trials characterized by disorientation and spiritual renewal which brings about reorientation. He goes on to say that, “The Christian spiritual journey involves starting and stopping, digressions and sometimes even reversion to previous stages” (p.13). This process takes time and requires patience. Thankfully God demonstrates his love for us in this way. Psalm 103:8 says, "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love". He invites us into this process of growth and sustains us along the way allowing us to experience His great love for us. As recipients of this compassion and grace, patience grows within us enlarging our capacity for love. 

Isn’t it amazing how thoughtfully and intricately God designed everything- even the process through which he transforms us and brings us into relationship with himself and others? I never ceased to be amazed by the unfolding mystery of grace. At times it can seem that the change we desire in ourselves and in the world around us is occurring too slowly but, I’m encouraged by the notion that the patience evoked by the process can serve as a conduit of love.

Recently our patience was tested as we waited on Adam’s visa to be processed so we could return to Thailand as a family. As our return flight approached we had not heard back from the embassy so we decided to delay our travel a few days. As that departure neared, the situation remained the same but we decided we would continue on and Adam would travel to Hong Kong with us and then remain there until his visa was processed. We turned to our prayer team and had many praying for us and for the process, one even asking that God would do whatever it took to keep our family together. Hours before our flight we received an email informing us that it had been canceled. We then rescheduled again for a few days later. Still- upon boarding that flight, the visa had not come through. When we landed in Hong Kong the visa was in Adam’s email inbox- it had been processed and sent while we were in the air and just in time for him to board the flight to Thailand with us!

I’d like to say I had unwavering faith though the whole process but, at times, I was nervous and even dismissive of the possibility that God was concerned with our travel plans which seem, in the grand scheme of things, to be somewhat trivial but, God once again, reminded me that He is so much bigger than I can even imagine Him to be and that He is near and involved in all the details of life.

As I consider how He works I am often left with more questions than answers- what about all the other people on that canceled flight? What are their stories? What was God orchestrating? Perhaps for some, it was also a blessing but, I imagine many others were disrupted and maybe even frustrated. I consider the times I’ve been in their position. Life is full of unexpected disruptions and redirections. Can I be patient with others, myself, and with God when the inevitable occurs- knowing that I’m a small part in a much larger story and all the while, God is great enough to hold the details of my life, my neighbors life, and the overarching narrative all at the same time?

About the Author: Jamie is serving in Thailand with her husband and two children. She is passionate about working to create pathways that both prevent women from entering the sex trade and provide a way out so that they can discover the hope and healing that is found in Jesus. She earned her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Denver Seminary in 2016 and has been working as a professional counselor since then. 

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