Read 2 Peter 3:8-13.
We always seem to be waiting for something. College acceptance letters, an upcoming break from school, a plane. We know these will come eventually. There are other things, like healing for someone we love, that are less assured, but we trust they will.
Then there are things we’ve been promised, but never seem to arrive. Peace in our time and the return of Jesus, both of which may occur together. Some time.
When we consider the evil in the world, we often want to say, “Come on, God. Hurry up!” We know we could do better, but still…
Today’s passage offers a hopeful reason for our waiting — patience. Not our patience, but God’s. “The Lord is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” God is waiting on us, more than we are for God. God is waiting for us to live lives of holiness and godliness, set apart from the skewed values of the world, and striving to reflect the mercy and justice of Jesus.
As Isaiah said that God’s ways and thoughts are not like ours, the author of this letter is saying God’s time is vastly different than ours. We are simply asked to live with patience and anticipation. To paraphrase the Lord’s prayer, perhaps God is saying “be patient with one another as the Lord is patient with you.”
In the meantime, let us seek to live like Jesus would want us to live, and be thankful for God’s patience.
Pray
Blessed Lord, now that we have celebrated your first coming into the world, we thank you for your patience with us. Support us as we seek to be more fully your followers in the coming year. Amen.
Rev. Dr. Timothy Coombs, Campus Minister
Elaine Batts & Andrew Dariano, Students
Protestant Campus Ministry (Union College, Schenectady, NY)