August Bishop’s message
Why patience is really important for Christians and the church?
I have come to realise that at times I am not that patient of a person.
Just the other day, I was at the traffic light, the car in front of me took a little time to take off when the arrow turned green … and when it came to my turn it was red again … I was a little frustrated … thinking I am wasting time here, thinking I will be stuck here for eternity … however I glanced at the clock and only 2 minutes later I was off as the arrow had turned green again.
Much of life in fact seems to encourage be impatient. Our homes are filled with devices to make things happen quicker, we expect takeaway food to be ready almost as soon as the EftPos machine has taken the money from our account and where I live I can order something from Amazon online and it is delivered that evening, so when the order takes a few days I can get a little impatient.
So, what about you?
Do you find yourself becoming impatient, or are you a patient person?
So, when I open the bible, I am confronted with a simple fact … that patience is important for every Christian and the church, including ours.
Now there are many examples where being patient has meant that something good has occurred.
For instance, if you go to Barcelona, there is a famous church called The Sagrada Familia. This church has been under construction for around 140 years, and it is likely to be completed in 2026. Because of its story and notoriety over 4 million people a year visit Sagrada Familia and many of them come to worship and praise God.
Another instance is this year we are commemorating 1700 years of the Nicene Creed, or it is probably to say we are commemorating that it is 1700 years of the First Ecumenical Council of 325AD where the foundations for the Nicene Creed were first laid. Now this First Ecumenical Council itself took 10 weeks. Imagine if we called a Synod that lasted that long?
However, it wasn’t until some 56 years later (381AD) that the form of the Nicene Creed that we know today was adopted…and it wasn’t until 451AD, some 126 years later until the Nicene Creed became widely used and considered a statement about God for the whole church.
In other words, it took 126 years of bible study, reflection, discussion, debate, some arguments and patience before there was a common statement of faith about who God is and what he does.
These examples of patience reveal that focussed patience is something God uses to produce something very helpful and good.
But there is even a more important reason…it is what God’s Word, the Bible says about patience.
In Galatians 5:22-23 we are reminded that one of the fruits of the spirit is patience, sometimes translated as forbearance.
And in numerous passages we are encouraged to be patient with others, Ephesians 4:2 encourages us to be patient with others, by bearing with others in love and Romans 12:2 calls us to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.
But why focus on us being patient?
I remember one of my early Christian mentors who said if it is mentioned in the bible, especially in the letters to the early Christians, then it probably wasn’t natural or happening and so we could say it isn’t natural for us to be patient people.
And importantly being patient is one of the characteristics of God.
We often want to make decisions and want people to act a particular way now, or even better yesterday. Yet frequently we see that God responds to people patiently, including when they are not responding how and as quick as they possibly should.
In other words, God is a patient God
In Nehemiah 9:30-31 we hear how God was patient with people who were paying no attention to him, because of this they weren’t in a good place, yet God did not abandon them and showed grace and mercy to them.
And one of the significant passages about God being patient is found in 2 Peter 3:8-9
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
This is the key reason for us to live lives in being patient …
We show patience to others to help them discover and know that God is patient.
Living the Faith with patience …
- Faith is a gift from God, so connect with God regularly and notice how patient he often is, especially with you. Be nurtured by God and understanding His patience with You and others.
- Allow the greatest commandment of living a life of love God and loving others be a main emphasis for you, so that you focus on nurturing relationships …
- Seek God’s help for you to be patient, pray for patience. Where you find it difficult to be patient with people, situations or even God himself, ask God to help you.
- Be focussed on helping others to discover that God is a patient God, by reflecting His patience with them in how you go about life and relate to them and others.
Patience is not giving up but simply trusting God’s timing and purposes.
I am looking forward to my next visit to New Zealand which will be 23 September to 16 October 2025.
And remember you are always welcome to contact me for an appointment via Teams or the phone … simply email me Richard.schwedes@lca.org.au or call +61418303406.
Bishop Richard Schwedes
Sydney
August 2025
