Work In Progress

James 5:7

Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and late rains.

Thoughts: This world is all about cycles. We have the seasons of year. In order for the plants to thrive, they must go dormant in the winter until it is watered and warmed in the spring. We are very similar in our spiritual life. We go through ups and downs.  Recently, I was on a spiritual high. I was praying a lot. I felt like God was speaking directly to me often throughout each day. His presence was very close and very real to me. It was a very intense time in my walk with the Lord. I was feasting on God. I was being nourished in a very powerful way.

But these times cannot last. And they shouldn't last. A person needs some downtime to contemplate all that has happened and a period of reflection and introspection. This is where I am right now. Unlike past times in this cycle, I seem to be reaching out to Him more and more in this time of germination.

Also, our parish recently held a great mission with a great speaker. Many hearts were turned to Jesus and a great fire and love for the Lord resulted. This led to a large evangalization effort. We programs were started to help bring new disciples to Christ. 

After a couple of months, the spiritual high started to subside. Some people started to think that some of the programs were failures because the results were not what they had envisioned. I was leading a small group. After the first meeting, they didn't all seem to be where I was in my journey. How naive of me to expect everyone to immediately meet me where I was at. Jesus always met people where they were at and brought them to the foot of the cross.

My group turned out to be absolutely wonderful. But I learned that I am only God's instrument. I am called to play the tune he sets before me. I don't have to compose the song. We are not always called to the harvest. More often we are called to plant or water. God is the one who will determine what my role will be.

I pray for the humility and insight accept the role God has for me. And may I always rejoice whatever my role is. Finally, let me thank Him for the times he puts me back in the ground to develop better roots.

Amen!