Author’s note: I wrote this several years ago when I was looking for a church to pastor. Shortly after writing these thoughts, I was called to my present location at Heather Hills Baptist Church. Perhaps these words, written in a time when I was waiting on God, could be helpful to you.
In our search for God’s next ministry location for us, my family is starting to get “faith pains.” My kids are asking me several times a day, “Dad, did (name of church) call today?” “What about (name of church)?” Last night, my wife looked up at me and said, “I don’t think I like waiting very much.”
Of course, as the unwavering spiritual leader of the family, I give them all the exhortation they need to continue to trust and not be anxious (false piety intended).
What I don’t tell them is that Brian gets the “faith pains,” too. Even though the Lord has given us some very positive experiences through this process, the waiting doesn’t get any easier.
Part of the problem is we are so accustomed to instant gratification. We live in a society that demands immediacy. “Rush hour” is a misnomer; our real problem is a “rush lifestyle.” When we are forced to a standstill, by traffic jams or extreme weather, we call it “road rage;” God calls it sin.
Recently, I had the privilege to visit a rural section of the Midwest. As I drove through miles of countryside filled with fields of corn and soybeans, I started reflecting on the differences between that culture and the culture in which I currently live. There is a patience and a calmness in people from “the country” that people from “the city” can learn a great deal from.
Many people in this area are still involved in farming. Now there’s an occupation with some history. I didn’t know much about the particulars of farming, so I asked lots of questions.
Although with the advancement of technology, farming has made incredible strides, it is still a job that requires patience. Seed can only be planted so quickly. Corn will only grow so quickly. Flooding, drought, bugs and animals can slow and even destroy productivity.
A city boy would be greatly frustrated. “Why does it take so long to grow?” “Why are the work days so long?” “Can’t you make that tractor go faster?” “You do all this FOR CORN?!”
Brian McCrorie is senior pastor of Heather Hills Baptist Church in Cumberland. This weekly column is written by local clergy members.
