Patience

The greatest temptation of our time is impatience, in its full, original meaning: refusal to wait, undergo, suffer.” …

~Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy

I found this quote on another blog, and then was reading James 5:7-12:

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

There is so much in James. A small book with great truths. That same blog with the quote about patience, talked about eating your Bible. You can do this in different ways at different times...short small bits slowly soaking them in, fast - getting the whole view, and in repeat - taking a shorter book of the Bible and reading it 20+ times. So, I am doing James in repeat, and it seems that in the last few weeks of doing this a few times a day some part of James is applicable in my life or as a reference to give to someone or to use in my BSF homework! Here is just one more of those moments! Hebrews 4:12:

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.