Patience [ˈpāSHəns] NOUN 1. The capacity to accept or tolerate delay
If patience is a spiritual gift, then it is not one I possess. If I don’t keep myself in check, I am prone to gripe or take impetuous action when encountering inconvenient delays.
Just this past weekend, I was growing impatient as I waited in one of life’s many waiting rooms. I expected to receive an answer on a matter on Sunday morning. The answer didn’t come. Then I expected to receive the answer by Sunday evening. Again, the answer didn’t come. Then I expected to receive the answer by Monday morning. And still, the answer didn’t come.
Despite my naturally impatient disposition, I gave the matter over to the Lord and let it go.
As I concluded my time of prayer, it occurred to me that waiting is a blessing.
I don’t know why I never thought of it that way before, but it makes good sense. It gives God’s plan time to unfold. It gives time for our hearts to be formed. And if God is indeed good and concerned for our welfare well, the waiting should be equally good.
I asked the Lord to provide affirmation concerning my little epiphany. The next day, as I began to prepare for the upcoming worship service, I turned to Pastor Brian’s passage for his sermon and read these words.
“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
to the person who seeks Him.
It is good to wait quietly
for deliverance from the LORD.”
-Lamentations 3:25-26
How’s that for affirmation!
For sure, I do not possess the spiritual gift of patience. But the spiritual discipline of patience is available to me. The same discipline is available to you as well.
Are you currently stuck in one of life’s many waiting rooms? My guess is, God wants to bless you. The question is, are you willing to wait for the blessing? Waiting is hard.
As Tom Petty sang,
“The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you get one more yard
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part”
Waiting is hard. Nevertheless, it is good.
My God bless you in your waiting,
Pastor Dan
Looking Forward
Sermon Direction
Defining Moments
Lamentations 3:1-26
Link to This Sunday Worship Service
Changes in our Sunday Morning Worship
Two important changes to our services
Nursery is provided during 1st service 9am, for children up to kindergarten.
2nd service 10:45am we will require masks to and from your seats. We will reserve the back center section (next to the sound booth) for those who choose to wear a mask the whole time.
Any questions please contact Corianne at the office 524-2277 or corianne@ebclaconia.com
Community Groups
The next men’s breakfast will be Saturday October 3rd at Andy Whitman’s house in his back yard. Sign up this Sunday at the back counter of the sanctuary.
Men’s Breakfast
The next men’s breakfast will be Saturday October 3rd at Andy Whitman’s house in his back yard. Sign ups will begin Sunday September 13th at the back counter of the sanctuary.
Discovery Class
This class is for those who wish to learn more about EBC. This class is required for those who wish to become members of EBC. The next Discovery Class series will begin Sunday 10/4 and will run for 4 weeks at 9am in the Fellowship Hall.
Community Wide Prayer Event
Several pastors in this area are leading 10 days of prayer for Awakening to take place in the Lakes Region and in our nation. EBC will be hosting two prayer events from 6:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday 9/22 and Thursday 9/24. There will be other opportunities at other locations during these 10 days as well. Also, set a side 9/26 for a church wide prayer and worship event at Opechee Park from 2:00-5:00.
New Sermon Series
“Being Real” a study in 1 John
Begins September 27th
EBC Kids
EBC Kids needs more volunteers. If you are interested in serving once a month as a nursery worker, as a teacher or helper, please contact Victoria Mansfield victoriayasharianmansfield@gmail.com or contact the office 524-2277 or
office @ebclaconia.com
Giving
You can continue to give either online on our website www.laconiachurch.com
Prayer and Praise
If you have any prayer requests or needs, please email Corianne at: corianne@ebclaconia.com