Patience and Endurance

20May
When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: ‘A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.’ As he said this, he called out, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’

Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that “looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.”

 ‘Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.
-Luke 8:4-15


The Gospel of Luke today tells the parable of the seed. This is a parable with which most of us are very familiar. However, reading it this time, the last line of this translation resonated with me. “But as for the good soil, those are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.”


Patient endurance…I like this thought. Sometimes I fear that I am missing something. I cannot recall a recent ‘a-ha’ faith changing moment. However, this scripture makes me feel a little more reassured. Faith is about patient endurance. We are on a journey that is a marathon, not a sprint. We are called to show up with an open heart and be ready to listen for the word of God. Whether we are reading the morning daily devotional, attending chapel with our children, digesting a Sunday sermon or just having a conversation with a friend, we must be open to listen for God’s word all around us. If we are present with open ears and an open heart and rooted in deep faith, we are on the right path. When we put our trust in God’ plan, we will continue to grow.


Musical Reflection - Abide with Me - Audrey Assad


Gracious God, I pray for patience and endurance in my journey. Help me to trust in Your plan and to not be afraid of the unknown. Grant me the strength to persevere through difficult times, and the wisdom to know when to ask for your help. I thank you for Your love and guidance. Amen.

GospelEasterPatience

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