Members and guests have you ever noticed how everyone seems to be in a hurry these days? Between smart phones email, Facebook and other social media it seems like everyone is trying to squeeze more out of every minute. People are texting while driving; most of us have devices at our bedsides. I have even seen guys on the phone in the restroom! At some point you must ask yourself, is it really that serious? During meetings folks will have two or three devices they are monitoring while trying to pay attention to the meeting. I don’t know if the new technology is making us more productive or less patient? Have you noticed that the jasmine is fragrant and in bloom around the Capitol building? You will only know that if you “Slo Yo Roll” or take your time. Now you might need some Zyrtec walking in Sacramento this time of year, but you get my point.
The other day I was listening to one of my favorite bands, named for my hometown they are simply known as Chicago. The song and my theme today is, “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” It is often said, patience is a virtue. In the book of Galatians the apostle Paul wrote, “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness goodness and faithfulness.” But with all our high tech stuff, we seem to be spending more time and accomplishing less. In the song a verse says “As I was walking down the street one day, a preaching lady looked at me and said her diamond watch had stopped cold dead, and I said, does anybody really know what time it is, does anybody really care? If so I can’t imagine why we’ve all got time enough to cry.”
Members, patience is one of the virtues mentioned in all major religions. Patience and fortitude are prominent in both the Talmud and the Torah. The story of Micah for example, is that he suffers many challenging conditions and yet endures. The Christian Bible references patience in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and several other places. Perhaps most prominent is in 1 Timothy “Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.”
In the Quran it is written, “Muslims should persevere in patience and consistency and be steadfast in patience.” Incidentally, the word Jihad is not used anywhere in the Quran to mean war in the sense of launching an offensive. It is used rather to mean struggle, the action most consistently called for in the Quran is the exercise of patience.
In Buddhism and Hinduism there is an emphasis on mindfulness that is conducive to patient, effective and well organized thought.
God teach me to be patient, teach me to go slow,
Teach me how to wait on You when my way I do not know.
Teach me sweet forbearance when things do not go right
So I remain unruffled when others grow uptight.
Teach me how to quiet my racing heart,
So I might hear the answer You are trying to impart.
Teach me to let go dear God, and pray undisturbed until
My heart is filled with inner peace and I learn to know your will.
So members, does anybody really know what time it is this morning? Does anybody really care? If so I can’t imagine why we all have time enough to die.
Amen
