Patience patience

You may not notice but I was off the radar the last few days. I was answering my citizen responsibility to participate in the Jury selection process. Sadly I was not chosen to get more involved in the noble task of upholding the law of the land. So I am back to doing what I do most days (which is learning to walk according to the Spirit rather than according to the flesh).

Obviously I am forbidden to share any part of my experience in the courtroom. I wish to comment on my first impression entering a roomful of potential jurors. All of us had to go through a stringent security process of emptying all items in our pockets, getting a full-body electronic scan by an officer, and having our bags X-rated. This process from waiting to finish takes a long forty minutes and one has to repeat this process each time he enters a court building, albeit that he is just returning from lunch break. And all of this tedious effort only to get to a point of waiting to be called. While there in the Central Jury Room, some just sit there looking bored, some chat with neighbors, some read, some bring their work, some nap, ... none particularly wears a joyful look.

Come to think of it. Is it sort of like a mini-reflection of life in the Christian community? It isn't a short process to become part of the community (at least for me). Once entered, we may have a long time to wait before we are called heavenwards. In the meantime, what shall we do with the time? Patience is really the best medicine in this situation.

May the Lord grant His children the fruit of patience to live joyfully awaiting His second coming! It is apt to pray as such as Easter approaches.