Elder’s Thoughts – Summer 2026
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
— James 5:7-8
We spend a lot of time waiting. This can be a painful time, literally, if we are waiting for an operation. Or a source of anxiety if we are waiting for test results. But waiting can also be an exciting time if we are waiting for a holiday, a meeting with a loved one, or to start a new job. But our waiting can also be tinged with a pang of uncertainty – when this hope arrives, will I be ready and will I be pleased? The Christians James was writing to were longing for Christ’s return because they were experiencing all kinds of suffering.
We have been eagerly waiting for Kristian, Carla and their family for months now. And I know they have been looking forward to coming here, albeit I am sure with the anxiety of not knowing how everyone will settle in, the challenges of understanding a new church family and a new part of the country. We might remember them in our prayers, and it is of course quite possible that by the time you are reading this they will have arrived!
Waiting is a common theme in the epistles. The Lord had returned to heaven, and the disciples were eager to see him return for them. This is a desire that James highlights in these verses and by the time James wrote this at least 15 years had passed since Christ’s ascension.
It’s tempting to think that when I get my new baby, partner, operation, job (delete as appropriate) everything will change for the better. I can say from my experience, life events that go well are a great blessing, but they do not solve all our problems. We need to guard against unrealistic expectations when Kristian and Carla arrive. Firstly, they will have a lot of adjustments to make as they set up home and establish their family in new schools; all this will take time. Secondly, they are both human and not superhuman. We will need to continue to work together and support each other so Kristian can concentrate on what the Lord has called him to, leading and building up our Church, not running ministries.
So how do we wait well?
1. Patiently. James reminds us of the work of farmers. Their work is ever further removed from the fast pace of our daily lives. Farmers prepare the ground, sow the seed but have to trust God for the rest, as neither the sun nor the rain is under their control. And then they wait, and wait, until the right moment comes. By teaching us patience, it could well be that God is also teaching us to trust him.
2. Hopefully. For James, 15 years after Christ’s ascension, he was filled with hope. He didn’t see Jesus’ return in his lifetime, but that did not put him off and history records that he was murdered for his faith. Trusting in the return of Jesus, whom James had seen ascend to heaven with his own eyes, helped him wait because his wait was filled with the hope of something better.
3. Actively. Jesus predicts his absence in his parable of the ten minas (Luke 19:11–27). The basic story is that a prince was going away to be made king and when he was away his servants were to busy themselves. When the prince returns, he has a one-to-one conversation with each of his servants to see how they prospered. Jesus’ teaching is clear, patience and hope are to be accompanied by active service, and when Jesus the king returns, he will weigh up how well we have served him in his absence (2 Corinthians 5:10). And as a church, we must all guard against ticking over until the new pastor arrives. I can’t imagine a farmer sitting with her feet up while the crops grow – there are a million other maintenance jobs to do.
The patience of a farmer is rewarded by a harvest to be celebrated. When Kristian arrives, we will celebrate at his induction on 5 September. But these celebrations are simply a taste of our celebration when Jesus returns.
