Boy do I love homonyms. It's so much fun to use tricky wordplay to garner a laugh or to make someone think. For example, I saw a breast cancer awareness lanyard that said "Keep a breast." I chuckled, because there's the literal meaning (save breasts from cancer) and the figurative (keep "abreast" of the cancer situation). Yesterday, I was running and saw a sign on a church marquee. Churches tend to have very thought provoking statements on their signs, and this was no exception: "Patience carries a lot of wait." I've never thought about it like that. Yes, it is extremely important to develop the "patience trait" (as it carries weight), but I had heretofore neglected to think about the wait that is involved. Patience is not something that will appear overnight. It is a God-given gift, and we are to pray for Him to provide patience, to make us stronger in adversity and in faith. After all, isn't patience just another segment of faith? If we are to have complete and utter faith in God and His promises, then we need to be patient that they will come to fruition at the right time, under the right circumstances.
This is something I often forget. I usually want things to happen my way, when I want them, how I like them. I had this grand old plan that I would be married to my high school sweetheart at the age of 22 and teaching U.S. History somewhere in Texas. I thought that was God's route for me, and I couldn't wait to begin my adult life. But He put the kibosh on that plan, and I didn't know why. I prayed that He would show me what was going on, but it wasn't until I turned to Proverbs and began developing patience that I was able to see clearly where He wanted me to go and what He wanted me to do. God planted this World Race on my stoop and urged me to answer the door, just as He did with my fellow (future) Racers. We may all have had different ideas, but The Lord wanted us here, about to embark on a journey to bring His Work to others who are in dire need of it.
It all comes back to faith and patience. In many respects, they are one. I and my fellow Racers must have the faith and patience that He will provide fiscal support, a clear and focused mind, a shoulder to cry on, and a hand to hold in prayer. It doesn't all come at once though, but we must never grow weary of relying on Him. We must be vigilant in our patience, as His plans trump anything we ever dream(ed) up. We need to be patient…it carries a lot of wait.
