Week 8 Day 7
James 1: 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
James 5:7-8 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.
When I was a young father my mother would often upbraid me in my more impatient moments with this phrase; “You can’t put old heads on kids.” Sometimes she would emphasize my immaturity by adding the word “Still”. Since I have clawed my back into the love of Jesus our Christ I have noticed that our almost overwhelming need for “cutting to the chase”, “settling the question”, and in general overcoming any interruption in our personal spiritual journey has brought about an extreme impatience that leaves no time for God’s grace and his lovingkindness to work their magic in someone’s life, especially those with whom we are uncomfortable or conflicted.
In Jesus’ day the Pharisees, and their true masters, the scribes who interpreted “the law” were very much like us, that is those of us in the Church today who “know” the way of grace.” How often I have been quick to condemn, or dismiss someone out of hand because I did not approve of what they were doing with their lives. Would that I had been as quick to condemn my own impatience and angry outbursts in the name of “righteousness”.
If we look, the signposts of unrighteousness in our own lives are plain to see, but as scripture says, “the god of this age* (note small g) has blinded the minds of unbelievers…”( 2 Corinthians 4:4)
It is my sincere prayer today that for me, and as well for you, “the scales would fall from our eyes” that we all may begin to see clearly how Jesus would have us deal with one another with truth, justice, and mercy, walking humbly before our God.
Larry M Lawrence- Mysteries 