There's a concept in a new Corinne Bailey Rae song (possibly the whole album) that I hope to discover more of in my own life. The song is called "Stop Where You Are" and what I get from it is the idea of allowing yourself to fully take in the moments, things and people that strike you. Not hanging on exactly, but more like enjoy...no savoring the time however long or little. And I never thought of patience like that, until now.
What if when God whispers to be "Be patient" or "Not yet" it is really an invitation to enjoy, or if I can't because the moment thing or people are not at all enjoyable, embrace or take a break or pause or pray? What if those moments in my life where God demands patience of me aren't about just waiting, not idly? What if I'm there to notice something or pay closer attention to someone. Maybe the pause is just a rest, one I didn't even know I needed. I wouldn't have know either if He hadn't given me a little push. What if patience, is really about worship? Mmmmmm.
Finding that quiet calm inside yourself that whispers "God, I love you," and "Lord, I trust you." Sometimes we forget we know that. Or maybe not forget exactly, it's more like loosing your keys or phone. You know that truth is around here somewhere, but you just can't seem to find it anywhere. Your mind races and you turn the whole house over frantically searching for what you lost. 2 minutes, 2 hrs, or 2 weeks later when your mind is calmer, full of something completely different it happens. Once you've taken a deep breath and retraced your steps, or laughed so hard you forgot what you were looking for, or got lost in blissful thought about something so much more important, then and not a moment before does the thing you were searching for seem to reveal itself to you. Maybe even in a place you "swore you remember looking."
Perhaps in that space between what we long for and the miraculous reveal patience is how we choose to spend that time. Loose yourself in the moment, laugh, meditate on what is truly important and the time will go before you know it, and you will be better for how you spent it.
Thank you God of time and space who is never a second too early or late. Help us to remember Your sovereignty. We needn't fear running out of time when we serve the God who created it. Help us follow your lead in Jesus name, Amen.
