Are we there yet? Are we there yet? How familiar these words with summertime travel. Growing up, sitting in the backseat of mom and dads car, on our way to a fun vacation spot. Always on the way, we were so excited to get there that our patience would wear thin. The result becomes a miserable ride and sometimes threats from the parental units.

In life, the same principle applies. Patience runs short and life becomes miserable. Arguments arise among spouses and friends. The economy thrives on our lack of patience. Fast food reigns supreme. Soup of the Day is served in minutes. And at the end of the day we lay tired and plagued with indigestion. Instant gratification is not instant enough.

When the topic of patience, taking time, and waiting come up, the cliche of Job comes up. Job is described as being a patient man. He refused to curse God when times got rough. He wanted to die, but he wouldnt take the easy way out. As Christians, we tend to try to take the easy way. Get rich quick schemes plague churches and denominations. Say a prayer, get saved.. Get out..
It is this concept that is taking away the character of the Body of Christ. We believe God will bless a need, but instead of waiting.. Instead of being still, we ask are we there yet? Christ is not sitting at the end of the race saying, what took you? He is the driver. God is in control of all things and He looks at our character.

How many times are parents pictured threatening their children, I will pull this car over if you dont stop. So in our begging and pleading, Our Father in Heaven also will pull a sidetrack because we do not have the character to actually receive the blessing He has for us.

9Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!"
10But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Throughout his time of suffering, Jobs friends came, at first to console, but then to critique. While they sat like back seat drivers, telling Job about his deeds, as if they knew him better than himself. Still, he remained steadfast.

Paul speaks of running the race. He does not actually mention winning the race, but running the race and getting to Jesus. Christ is not a philosopher that believes the End justifies the Means. He has all the time in the world. He created time. He is outside of time. It is what happens in daily life, the smile at a stranger, the coin in an out of time parking meter, the opening a door. The greatest commandment was not do great works in My name so that the entire world will be changed.. The greatest commandment was Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and mind, and your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27. When we take the time to love one another, love God, and love ourselves, the peace of Christ will come over us. Learning the patience that everyday we are not guaranteed to wake up, creates in us the strong moral character to persevere and allow God to do the works through us.

Trials come, adversity hits. Life is not a picnic here on earth. Instead, its a struggle to live a life of comfort and prosperity. Churches have begun preaching the Puritan style of ideology that the more you have, the more youre righteous. I sat in a church where the preacher would pray money cometh and instruct the congregation to do the same thing. Almost like the whole Prayer of Jabez.

God is the creator of all things. He lives outside of time and space, knowing the beginning from the end. If there is anything that matters most to Him, its not what we accomplish, but how we go about trying to accomplish it. The Fast-Food Christianese lifestyle is taking away the legs of the body of Christ. Just like Fast Food kills our bodies, the same health risks are true for the Church. Be patient. Stop and smell the coffee, you may never have another cup.