Work In Progress
If you seem to get along with everyone and never have a bad word to say about anyone, does that make you virtuous?
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. Above all, my beloved, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "Yes" be yes and your "No" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. - James 5:7-12
How hard is it to show patience?
When people act like idiots, saying and doing things that annoy you, should you just put up with it and let them be? Or should you brush them off?
James seems to be saying we need to endure the misery for God's sake, but why would God want us to suffer?
I can imagine God saying, "Look, this hasn't turned out the way I planned. People are supposed to love one another and show kindness toward each other, but they just can't seem to do that, so bear with me on this."
Don't grumble.
Accept that the experiment is a bust and go about your life the right way, letting the wackos do their thing.
Maybe God wants us to salvage what we can and show Him that we can bring about the vision He has for this life, even if it is not complete.
It is like a work in progress.
some of us get it and will follow the plan, while the rest? Well, they just are what they are.
I know that doesn't sound fair, and maybe that is the point.
Some get to do what they want, while the rest of us follow the rules.
Thank God for God.
More to come...