James 5 - 8.25.21

Scripture

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.

Observation 

James continues to write this for those scattered all around the world. Here, he discusses the virtue of patience during tough times, and he likens it to a farmer yielding crops.

Understanding 

The grass isn’t always greener.

A lesson that I have been coming to terms with lately in my own life is that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. In terms of my work locations, I became obsessed with this idea of moving to a different store because where I was was becoming somewhat unstable. I moved and grew vastly unhappy and had to drive out of my way to go to a job that I didn’t even like anymore. But here’s what I’ve learned: if I tended to my own grass, I wouldn’t be distracted by the dirt patches that other people say is “greener grass.” Patience is sticking it out despite a little difficulty. Because waiting is not wasting! 

A while ago Katie posted this on her Instagram and I think it adds quite nicely: “The grass is greener where you water it and even more where you mow it. Moral of the story story: if you take care of your own grass you won’t be concerned with the color of someone else’s.” Okay now let me tie this all together. Patiently waiting means that you tend to your own “grass” (or God-given purpose whatever that may be) and not looking to infringe on someone else’s. Waiting means tending to your lawn by watering it, mowing it, and feeding it not just waiting around hoping your grass will turn green. Valuable crops are yielded not in one instance but through waiting and tending. 

Life Application 

Waiting is not wasting! 

Think of a way that you can tend to your grass. Have you grown disconnected to your source? Plug back in by doing some PB&J. Keep watering, keep mowing, keep tending you’ll see results. 

-Allison Khan