How Long Does It Take?
2 Peter 3:8-15a
3:8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.
3:9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
3:11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness,
3:12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire?
3:13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.
3:14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish;
3:15a and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him.
Sometimes it is hard to wait.
Sitting in an airport, waiting for a beloved to land can be excruciating. It seems even at 400 mph, the plane is crawling to you. Waiting for a medical report can be nerve-wracking. How long does it take to read an MRI? A child waiting for Christmas watches the calendar ooze from one day to the other. Who knew a month equalled eternity?
Right now, I am waiting for us to come to our senses. The wait seems interminable. How long does it take to realize a pedophile is NOT a good candidate for office? How long does it take to realize that women have a right to determine how and by whom their bodies are touched? How long does it take to realize that care for the neediest of all is the FIRST priority for any fellowship of Jesus or any nation claiming to be just? How long does it take to realize that guns are dangerous weapons, not accoutrements for self-expression? How long does it take to recognize that our brothers and sisters who are not white struggle for simple justice? How long does it take to see that compassion really is our only hope?
How long does it take?
Peter must have grown tired of waiting. He, like so many within the first church, assumed Jesus was on a quick return plan. But days grew into weeks. Weeks grew into months. Months grew into years. No Jesus. And the Empire wasn't much of a haven for those trying to be like Jesus in the world. As so often happens with something declared countercultural, the church suffered. Peter probably heard the same question again and again from his parishioners, How long does it take?
Peter found patience. He found patience in his simple trust of the Lord's word. If God made a promise, it would be kept. But it would be kept on God's time. God is always present. God is with us in each breath. And God chooses to use even such an incremental step as a breath to transform the world. God quickens hearts to mercy. God opens eyes to the need for kindness. God broadens minds to see each person as they truly are--a unique act of God's creative will. Then God gives us space and time to respond. That takes time. Such movement can feel glacial. But it is there. Wait and see. So goes Peter's thinking.
This text interrupted my impatience with the world this week. It convicted me.
God is present. God will awaken us. God will move us. Things may well be out of balance, but look and remember. The pendulum still swings. Balance will return. The kingdom will come.
In the meantime, am I still practicing kindness? I am still living into welcoming all as beloved children of God, even those with whom I disagree strongly? I am still seeking to live and speak mercy? Am I encouraging others to do so also?
How long does it take?
As long as it takes a kindness to break the shell of fear and anxiety. As it takes a mercy to lift another into wholeness. As long as it takes to see another person in their truest identity as a child of God.
Be patient.
God is good and grace abounds.
3:8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.
3:9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
3:11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness,
3:12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire?
3:13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.
3:14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish;
3:15a and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him.
Sometimes it is hard to wait.
Sitting in an airport, waiting for a beloved to land can be excruciating. It seems even at 400 mph, the plane is crawling to you. Waiting for a medical report can be nerve-wracking. How long does it take to read an MRI? A child waiting for Christmas watches the calendar ooze from one day to the other. Who knew a month equalled eternity?
Right now, I am waiting for us to come to our senses. The wait seems interminable. How long does it take to realize a pedophile is NOT a good candidate for office? How long does it take to realize that women have a right to determine how and by whom their bodies are touched? How long does it take to realize that care for the neediest of all is the FIRST priority for any fellowship of Jesus or any nation claiming to be just? How long does it take to realize that guns are dangerous weapons, not accoutrements for self-expression? How long does it take to recognize that our brothers and sisters who are not white struggle for simple justice? How long does it take to see that compassion really is our only hope?
How long does it take?
Peter must have grown tired of waiting. He, like so many within the first church, assumed Jesus was on a quick return plan. But days grew into weeks. Weeks grew into months. Months grew into years. No Jesus. And the Empire wasn't much of a haven for those trying to be like Jesus in the world. As so often happens with something declared countercultural, the church suffered. Peter probably heard the same question again and again from his parishioners, How long does it take?
Peter found patience. He found patience in his simple trust of the Lord's word. If God made a promise, it would be kept. But it would be kept on God's time. God is always present. God is with us in each breath. And God chooses to use even such an incremental step as a breath to transform the world. God quickens hearts to mercy. God opens eyes to the need for kindness. God broadens minds to see each person as they truly are--a unique act of God's creative will. Then God gives us space and time to respond. That takes time. Such movement can feel glacial. But it is there. Wait and see. So goes Peter's thinking.
This text interrupted my impatience with the world this week. It convicted me.
God is present. God will awaken us. God will move us. Things may well be out of balance, but look and remember. The pendulum still swings. Balance will return. The kingdom will come.
In the meantime, am I still practicing kindness? I am still living into welcoming all as beloved children of God, even those with whom I disagree strongly? I am still seeking to live and speak mercy? Am I encouraging others to do so also?
How long does it take?
As long as it takes a kindness to break the shell of fear and anxiety. As it takes a mercy to lift another into wholeness. As long as it takes to see another person in their truest identity as a child of God.
Be patient.
God is good and grace abounds.
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