Inspiring Generosity

11/4/2020

Patient? You Want Me to Be Patient?

Now this is patience. Peter Fischer@pixabay

I want to know who the ignoramus was that said, “Patience is a virtue.”

What? You say it was Saint Paul? And he said it a few times? Maybe not exactly in those exact words, but pretty close? Oops. My bad. Sorry Paul.

And here’s proof:

Romans 8:25 – But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

And then there’s Galatians 5:22-23 (which I almost hesitate to quote because…there are so many of these that I royally fail at) –

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

No law against such things? Good to know. I’ve got my work cut out for me.

At times such as these - you know, post-election waiting for the results - I go back and lean on the B-I-B-L-E (which makes me think of my six-year-old son singing that classic, “The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me…” and crescendoing with an enthusiastic, “Dah Bible!” But I digress.)

Last night (that would be Election night) someone posted on Facebook, “How long, oh Lord, how long?”

When I read it, I was immediately transported back to a U-2 concert that my then 13-year old son and I went to in December 2005 during their Vertigo tour. For their last song, Bono began singing “40,” based on Psalm 40. You can watch it here:

I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the mire and clay

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song

How long to sing this song
How long to sing this song
How long, how long, how long
How long, to sing this song

He set my feet upon a rock
And made my footsteps firm
Many will see
Many will see and fear

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song

How long to sing this song
How long to sing this song
How long, how long, how long
How long, to sing this song

There we were, all 18,233 of us in Portland’s Rose Garden singing at the top of our voices over and over again,

How long to sing this song?

It was the most spiritual experience I have ever had in a decidedly secular space.

So today, I will try to sing a new song as I wait (perhaps, patiently) during the next few days to determine the outcome of a divided nation. How long will we sing this song? As long as we are called to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly.

I invite you to join me.

Cesie Delve Scheuermann (pronounced “CC Delv Sherman,” yes, really) is a consultant in stewardship, development, and grant writing. Over the past fifteen years, while working as a volunteer and part-time consultant, she helped raise over three million dollars for numerous non-profit organizations. She promises to get back to the practical stuff on inspiring generosity. Really. Cesie is available to consult with churches. You can reach her at inspiringgenerosity@gmail.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/inspiringgenerosity or at CesieScheuermann.com.

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Cesie Delve Scheuermann

Cesie Delve Scheuermann is consultant in grant writing and stewardship/development working with the Conference. From 2008-12 she was the Conference Lay Leader for the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference.