Dear Fellow Children of God,
Have you heard the old somewhat sacreligious prayer about patience? “Lord, give me patience, and . . . I want it NOW!” You and I both understand the contradiction in that prayer. Hopefully we would never speak to God in such a demanding tone. Nevertheless, God does indeed call for patience from His children. To be patient is to wait. Psalm 130 teaches us about godly patience. “5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” (Ps. 130:5-6) Patience means waiting on God to act. But, in our world today microwaves cook food quickly, the internet gives information instantly (even if the information is not always accurate), and cell phones let us communicate with others around the world right now - if only they will respond or answer. In this “right now world” patience is rare, and growing more difficult to find.
Maybe that is also why love seems to be growing cold. You see, when God inspired St. Paul to write to a Corinthian church that was having issues, Paul wrote, “Love is patient. . .” (1 Corinthians 13:4a) There are various Greek words which can be translated into the English word "patient." That is why the King James Version of the English Bible translated this phrase as, “Charity suffereth long.” How many people pray so that they might suffer . . . for a long time? No wonder patience and love seem to be in short supply in today’s world.
I say this because I am now being called to patience as part of our Lord’s call in my life to “. . . love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31) Actually, patience is always God’s call for His children. Only sometimes our Lord’s call is easier to see.
So, are you impatient concerning the coronavirus in our world and in our lives, and also impatient about the requirements for social distancing? I know I am. I long for unencumbered big family gatherings. In Alaska, our family has gathered with masks, in shifts. I would like these cautions to end . . . end “now” as the prayer above says. I long for days that, when I attend worship, everyone feels safe to attend. I miss seeing many of my friends and fellow Christians. I long for the willingness and the opportunity to hug family and friends. I get tired of wearing a mask which then clouds up my glasses. I am impatient, and seemingly becoming more so. Granted, these personal inconveniences are minor. But the longer they last the bigger they seem.
However, I have recently been caught short and taught about my impatience. Because of the growing spread of this virus, our elected leaders have increased the protocol requirements surrounding travel. So, I took a COVID test in Florida before I returned to Alaska, and I then received another coronavirus test at the Anchorage airport. I was hoping upon return to Alaska to be able to spend some family time, to help at St. John, and to conduct a funeral on Saturday, December 12. But, while my test results were negative, unfortunately my wife, Kathy, tested positive for the virus. We got her results on Saturday, December 5, and she has experienced some symptoms beginning on Sunday, December 6. Now, because I have been exposed I am also observing quarantine with Kathy, and trying to take care of her.
My first reaction after concern for Kathy, was, to be honest, some frustration at the limitations I now face. But, what are my frustrations compared to Kathy’s illness, compared to those who have been gravely ill, compared to those who have died from the virus? The death rate from coronavirus is much in excess of what influenza would bring?
And then I thought of the people we had been with in the previous 7 days. We spent time with family at Thanksgiving, at separate tables, wearing masks when not eating. But, we were with my sister-in-law who has a brain tumor that is in remission. We ate at the same table with my brother David, who has fought multiple health issues, including a heart by-pass and valve replacement 2 years ago. We spent time outside, socially distant, with masks, visiting with a pastor who is a mentor and very good friend, and with his wife. But she has Parkinson’s disease. Our next door neighbor in Florida fights COPD. And, when I arrived home, after receiving my negative result, before Kathy received her positive test, I went by the church office to pick up confirmation books so I can teach online. From a distance, wearing a mask, I waved at our secretary, who is being treated for cancer.
Kathy and I wore masks and kept distance, intentionally so. But, in addition to those mentioned above we also spent time with many others who might not have underlying health conditions. What if, in my impatience, I had passed the virus along to these beloved family and friends who already have other health issues. What if, because I was impatient, I passed the illness on to someone who is healthy now, but who was then severely affected by the illness. I would find it difficult to forgive myself. In fact, being willing to wait, to wait for the Lord, is really being loving to others. “Love IS patient!”
The night he was betrayed, about 12 hours before hanging on the cross, Jesus taught His disciples about love. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34) Jesus showed his love by His willingness to suffer and to die, to forgive even for those who would ultimately reject Him. Jesus’ call to me and to all His children is to love like He loved. We are even called to suffer and sacrifice to love others, like we have been loved through Jesus. Even though we can’t and don’t ever keep this commandment perfectly, Jesus still loves, forgives, and saves us. Even though we can’t and don’t ever keep this commandment perfectly, we still have Jesus’ call for our lives to "love one another."
There are so many unknowns with this disease. But, when I think about others, and seek to “Love my neighbor as myself,” I will pray for patience so that I may show others the love which Jesus has shown me.
A Child of God, Needing God’s Gift of Patience in our Right Now World,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. There are no pictures this week, since we are in quarantine. However,
I did go ice fishing by myself, with my dog, Mat. I caught 4 small fish and threw them back - so no pictures. Mat got to roll in the snow and run around the lake.
I have done many home chores, again.
*****
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now retired from serving as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, AK. My weekly devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the Pastor." However, with life's changes I now call the devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God." I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it. If you know someone else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net. I will include them on my distribution list. You can also view this message on my Facebook page.
HOWEVER, A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS. Since I’m only sending these e-mails to people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving these messages. BUT, if you read this on Facebook and would like to receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add you to my distribution list.
*******
Jonathan Rockey
Child of God
Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church
E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net
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