Patient – Look, See, Pray

A sad time of year? For some the changes in the weather and shorter days can affect our mood.

Justin Hayward (appropriately from the Moody Blues) wrote a classic song “Forever Autumn.” Here are the first two verses. Hope they don’t make you sad!

“The summer sun is fading as the year grows old
And darker days are drawing near
The winter winds will be much colder
Now you’re not here
I watch the birds fly south across the autumn sky
And one by one they disappear
I wish that I was flying with them
Now you’re not here
Like the sun through the trees you came to love me
Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away…”

Autumn can affect us emotionally and spirituality. That impact can be quite strong and make us moodier. Individual circumstances can cause vulnerability; and being aware of that is important. Our physical existence impacts everything.

It is a time to strengthen family/friendship links- mutual support is so helpful. It is also good to remember that life doesn’t centre on us- we are important and valued, but our focus stands on Jesus and He is with us ALWAYS. In every season, spring or autumn. James has a few worthwhile things to say about fruitfulness AND patience.

James 5:7
“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.”

(Tomorrow I’ll look at the positive aspects of Autumn!)

It’s so frustrating. I’d even go so far as to say ANNOYING. I want to be cross. Grrrr…

I am quite a peaceable bloke. I don’t often want to kick things (or people) but I could make an exception in this case. Am I allowed? Aren’t I supposed to be nice? Even meek?

Hang on. Peaceful waterfall photograph… Steaming stroppy writer. What’s going on? Norway25th_0258cropQ

I am trying to get one of the big energy suppliers to do the decent thing (well, I do believe in miracles!). It’s proving difficult. I’m glad it’s not my supplier: but they really are the limit. For the umpteenth time I have been writing a friendly… er, no, a polite letter that is expressing frustration and anger at the way the company are trying to bully a customer and avoid responsibility for the company’s own failings. I hope this one works. Two pages of A4, typed politely and logically and OBSTINATELY and making some forceful points to a Jobsworth. Next letter goes to the Managing Director and Ombudsman.

The waterfall reminds me of the power of persistence. Water carves through the rock by refusing to stop flowing. It doesn’t give up.

It’s also calming. Remembering the day, standing and watching the beautiful curtain of white brushing across the surface of the cliff.

It reminds me of God’s patience too. His love has been gradually wearing down my resistance over the last fifty years- job not done yet, but this boulder is getting shaped by the power of love.

Why post this on a page about prayer? Because too often we Christians don’t know what to do with our anger, frustration and angst. What we should do is include it in our communion with Christ, as part of our prayer. To be quite honest I don’t feel like being particularly holy. I am raging at an injustice and the attempt to cover it up. But if I don’t express it in my praying, the turmoil of my mind will infect my spirit with unease, and my “prayer” would be a sham. Hey, Lord, I’m worked up about this!

I know I am in good company. Many of the great men and women in the Bible get hacked off and stroppy, and their prayers get real. God doesn’t smack then down for insolence or impiety.

Perhaps the value of the prayer is that it may change ME. No way can I ask God to strike down the offenders! Someone important said “LOVE your enemies.” I suppose my prayer is about needing strength to persist in fighting injustice… but not to become bitter or unjust myself. And not to yield to the temptation to kick some butt.

If only prayer was a simple formula of words. The One who offers Living Water wants to purify my heart, cleanse me of my annoyance, and teach me forgiveness. My heart is pretty hardened in this instance. Lord, please persist in wearing me down so I can forgive those who trespass against me and my “client” … and learn how to be justly, righteously, passionate about even the hardest boulders in life’s path. Teach me patience and persistence.

Persist. Living Water, flow through me. Amen.