“…and let us run with perseverance the race that is before us.” Hebrews 12: 1
Having perseverance, patience, and acting purposefully are qualities we don’t often talk about in our modern fast-paced, instantaneous society. As has been noted on many occasions in my writings, I have not always been a very patient person. I have gotten better over the years, but still have my problems. I mention this so you know that when I state that in dealing with our Nation’s Pandemics, it is like we are running a marathon versus a sprint; and there is a need for lots of patience and perseverance---I am also talking to myself as much as to you.
Like most of you I am ready for the safer-at-home guidelines to be over so that we can be free again. However, as it has been said many times, we are on “Virus Time” and not “Human Time.” The COVID-19 Virus doesn’t care if we are all tired of the changes we have had to make. The Virus is only looking for the next person to infect, and no matter how careful we are, we or a loved one could be the next victim.
Racial injustices have been going on for generations and have survived countless attempts to get rid of it. Of course, many positive steps have been taken over the years, but the recent events have shown how deeply ingrained into the very fabric of our culture it really is. Thus, a lot of the rapid changes being made may not be enough to get to the very core of racism; that will take a long-term effort.
Our nation’s political divisions seemed to be increasing as we approach the November Elections. It appears that these divisions are causing more anxiety and tension in an already stressful time based on the other Pandemics. Each side of the division thinks the other side is wrong, and can’t understand why everyone doesn’t think like they do. Additionally, we have the weather-related catastrophes that have caused the U.S. more loss of life and property.
Regarding all of these of Pandemics and the climate issues, lets began to think about dealing with them as running a marathon---versus running a sprint. It takes certain skills and talents to run either a marathon or a sprint: such as endurance, conditioning, practice, and yes, patience and perseverance. However, most sprint races are run in seconds, whereas, a full marathon is run in hours!
In our world that has instant everything---where events around the world are known about in a matter of minutes, and in a few moments time the internet can provide us with countless amounts of information---it’s very difficult for us get our heads around having to wait for anything. According to what has been proven about all of these issues today, there are no quick fixes or no magic bullets in eliminating or correcting any of these. What is needed is perseverance, and something most of us don’t have in this world today---and that is patience.
In my ministry writings, I often refer to what many wise spiritual mothers and fathers have been saying for centuries, that being on a spiritual pilgrimage takes time and can’t be rushed. In the same manner, what the experts on these issues have said, and what this short blog is saying to us is the same message: that is to run the race relating to these challenges with perseverance and patience, and acknowledge that none can corrected in an instant. Let us all commit to the fact that we are running a marathon and not a sprint today. May your prayer practices allow you to be patient with what is going on around us, and do the best that we can do to change what we can alter; but at the same time to trust the future into the grace-filled hands of our loving Lord! Peace. Vernon T.
Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
Having perseverance, patience, and acting purposefully are qualities we don’t often talk about in our modern fast-paced, instantaneous society. As has been noted on many occasions in my writings, I have not always been a very patient person. I have gotten better over the years, but still have my problems. I mention this so you know that when I state that in dealing with our Nation’s Pandemics, it is like we are running a marathon versus a sprint; and there is a need for lots of patience and perseverance---I am also talking to myself as much as to you.
Like most of you I am ready for the safer-at-home guidelines to be over so that we can be free again. However, as it has been said many times, we are on “Virus Time” and not “Human Time.” The COVID-19 Virus doesn’t care if we are all tired of the changes we have had to make. The Virus is only looking for the next person to infect, and no matter how careful we are, we or a loved one could be the next victim.
Racial injustices have been going on for generations and have survived countless attempts to get rid of it. Of course, many positive steps have been taken over the years, but the recent events have shown how deeply ingrained into the very fabric of our culture it really is. Thus, a lot of the rapid changes being made may not be enough to get to the very core of racism; that will take a long-term effort.
Our nation’s political divisions seemed to be increasing as we approach the November Elections. It appears that these divisions are causing more anxiety and tension in an already stressful time based on the other Pandemics. Each side of the division thinks the other side is wrong, and can’t understand why everyone doesn’t think like they do. Additionally, we have the weather-related catastrophes that have caused the U.S. more loss of life and property.
Regarding all of these of Pandemics and the climate issues, lets began to think about dealing with them as running a marathon---versus running a sprint. It takes certain skills and talents to run either a marathon or a sprint: such as endurance, conditioning, practice, and yes, patience and perseverance. However, most sprint races are run in seconds, whereas, a full marathon is run in hours!
In our world that has instant everything---where events around the world are known about in a matter of minutes, and in a few moments time the internet can provide us with countless amounts of information---it’s very difficult for us get our heads around having to wait for anything. According to what has been proven about all of these issues today, there are no quick fixes or no magic bullets in eliminating or correcting any of these. What is needed is perseverance, and something most of us don’t have in this world today---and that is patience.
In my ministry writings, I often refer to what many wise spiritual mothers and fathers have been saying for centuries, that being on a spiritual pilgrimage takes time and can’t be rushed. In the same manner, what the experts on these issues have said, and what this short blog is saying to us is the same message: that is to run the race relating to these challenges with perseverance and patience, and acknowledge that none can corrected in an instant. Let us all commit to the fact that we are running a marathon and not a sprint today. May your prayer practices allow you to be patient with what is going on around us, and do the best that we can do to change what we can alter; but at the same time to trust the future into the grace-filled hands of our loving Lord! Peace. Vernon T.
Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
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