Patience and Productivity
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Feb 15
- 2 min read
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. (James 5:7)
Waiting can be challenging. Whether waiting for a promise to be fulfilled, a prayer to be answered, or even Christ’s return, patience can sometimes feel like a heavy burden. But James 5:7 offers an encouraging perspective: God’s waiting is not passive—it’s purposeful.
In fact, His patience is for the precious fruit of the earth. What does that mean? It means souls. God’s delay is His mercy, allowing more people to enter His kingdom. The husbandman in this passage refers to God, patiently waiting for the harvest of souls. The precious fruit of the earth represents people—every soul He desires to redeem. Think about it: Jesus hasn’t returned yet because of God’s deep love for humanity. He’s keeping the door open just a little longer, giving more people the chance to know Him.
Every day of delay is another opportunity for salvation, another chance for someone to say “yes” to Jesus. This should cause us to see patience differently. Aren’t you glad God waited for you? For your family? For your friends? His patience is not a sign of delay—it’s evidence of His mercy. Now, it’s essential to understand that patience doesn’t mean passivity. As believers, we are called to partner with God and see His will done on earth as in Heaven.
Our job is to share the good news, pray for those who don’t yet know Christ, and live lives that point others to Him. The fields are ripe for harvest (John 4:35), and we are the laborers called to gather the fruit. God’s patience is not a delay—it’s a divine opportunity. Are you ready to labor for the harvest? Someone’s eternity may depend on it.
Practical Application
Make a list of people in your life who have yet to know Jesus. Commit to praying for their salvation daily and ask the Holy Spirit to open doors for you to share the truth of the Gospel with them.
