Verse of the Day - Hebrews 10:36

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
~ Hebrews 10:36 (NLT)

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Impatience can really get us into trouble, can't it?

~ You're running late to work and so you push your car well beyond the speed limit. But the red light in your rear view mirror says your impatience isn't worth it, to the tune of a couple hundred dollars with a speeding ticket...!

~ In your impatience for that illusive promotion at work, you leave the company in search of something better. But work becomes hard to find, and you end up wearing your shoes out in the unemployment line...

Patient endurance. That's not just hanging in there. It's hanging in there without chomping at the bit. Wow, is that tough to do! God says that's what we need in order to keep doing His will, knowing that He is in control of our lives. We don't need to run headlong ahead of Him, trying to speed up the process.

The context of this verse talks about the persecution of the 1st century church, and how they were so content in their sufferings when they first came to know Jesus...

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. ~ Hebrews 10:32-34

From the writer's implication, it sounds as if his readers were starting to chomp at the bit, and possibly begin making decisions based on their impatience. When things don't change for the better for a long time, we just get tired and start striking out on our own to rectify the situation. Rebellions are started when people impatiently rise up and take action on their own. Unfortunately, it often results in tragedy rather than transformation.

...you knew there were better things waiting for you that would last forever.

Our hope for eternity rests in Jesus, amen? But does our hope for this hour rest in Him? How about tomorrow? Your job, your relationships, your health. Can you be patient in Him and endure where you are with godliness, when things aren't as you want them to be? Or do you get fed up with waiting and take matters into your own hands?

Have you ever watched bull-riding on TV? The camera gets up close and personal with the bull and rider as they await the opening of the shute. Sometimes, though, the bull gets impatient and tries to bust out early. That is scary to watch! Sometimes rider and bull are injured in the impatient attempt to escape.

Jesus says I understand your frustration when you don't see change, when you remain in your trials, when you desperately long for relief and a brighter day. I, too, learned patience in my suffering, so I know where you're coming from. But the Father is in control. Hang in there, keep doing the right thing, and rest in His plan. One day -- maybe soon, maybe later -- you will see your reward from your Father.

Trusting God and His plan will help us wait patiently.
Relying on His Spirit for strength will help us endure.
Keeping our eyes on Jesus will help us do God's will by imitating our Savior.

Hang in there, my friends, and don't bust out of the shute early. Wait for God -- His timing is perfect, every time!

Love,
Joelene