Patience

We generally underestimate the need to hold back our feelings, to bite the tongue that would otherwise make moral outcries, and instead standstill even when one may identify the perpetrators of obvious wrong doings. There is that wise saying that whenever you point a finger at someone else, there will be three fingers pointing back at you. Truth is that double-edged sword and will easily smite those who attempt to wield it albeit in righteous indignation. For one thing, we can never be sure of the extent of God’s love and mercy and therefore what right have we, to accuse our fellow man for their trespasses, when we ourselves, are hardly blameless.

Indeed, we would be delighted if God’s hand were to destroy the apparent enemies of goodness; in fact, it is this lack of immediate justice that frustrates and indeed causes others to question the existence of God and mock our unquestioning faith. The chorus of disapproval of God’s inactivity echoes all around leaving us somewhat embarrassed and ill at ease. Judgement will come soon enough and the possible severity of it will quench any desire for retribution towards anyone, for on that day our own flaws will be on display, and we relearn the need to beg forgiveness. It is this special and secret conversation between us and God that reveals our true self; not the bravado, cleverness, feigned virtuousness, respectability and achievements that the world so mistakenly admires.

Where does this leave us? And what is our real purpose in life? Is it to do good works just to ‘please’ God? No, it is more than that; by allowing the light within us to shine we not only help to dissolve the façade upon which our own egos are built, but it can also help to do the same in others. This radiance needs to be continual; we would instinctively try to snuff out this light, which would expose our own frailty and vulnerability. So, our real quest is to build within us a new creation and help to do this in others. Unfortunately, we are distracted from doing this by the great activities of man, in his great feats of science and engineering, and also in his apparent wisdom in the arts and philosophy. So impressed are we that we falter in our internal goal and obediently follow the rulers of the world whether they be politicians, religious leaders, scientists, doctors, educators or the plethora of general do-gooders. We see why we need to be patient for we have to holdback from following the crowd, to pray for God’s guidance and as ever remain humble and show tolerance towards others.