On Patience for the New Christian

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:4

After being saved just over two and a half years ago, I was overcome with a strong desire to learn as much about Christ as I could. Moreso, I wanted to give Christ everything He had asked of me. How could I know all that Christ had sacrificed for me and not feel an obligation to give Him it all?

Included in this urge was the need to spread the Word. I knew the core of the gospel: that humanity had fallen to sin, and incapable of saving ourselves to receive eternal life in heaven, the Father sent His one and only Son to die on the cross as a perfect and final sacrifice, paying the price for our sins for us should we merely have faith in Him.

But there were questions my secular peers had that I couldn’t answer. I did not know much about Church history. I did not know the historical context of the books of the Bible or the archeological evidence to back it up. I didn’t even know who had written each book of the Bible or when. I had barely even opened a Bible in my life.

I knew God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit was real, and I knew I wanted the world to know about Him. Spending most of my life outside of the faith and the Church, I knew the hopelessness and agony of living without. And I didn’t want anyone to live without Him.

In this desire to bring others to Christ was a great impatience. The Messiah could return at any moment (Matthew 24:42). Time was of the essence, and I knew all things were possible through Him (Philippians 4:13). Why was I not able to serve Him in all the ways I wished I could? If He can do it all, why was He not doing it now?

Jesus in Infallible Scripture

Recall the earthly life of Jesus. Through all the stories we hear of Him and all His wisdom relayed to us, we only receive one short story of Christ in His childhood (Luke 2:41–52). We receive no insight into the actions of Christ as an adult before His ministry began at the age of thirty.

Now, God’s Word certainly tells us all we need to know to grow our relationship with Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:16–17). This means that the lack of detail is not an error; I know as a creative writer that omissions can mean just as much as what is written.

Our Savior walked this earth fully man and fully God, facing all our human temptations and struggles while maintaining the awestriking power of a god. Despite being capable of anything and countless people knowing of His divinity, the Messiah spent most of His life in service and humility. Indeed, His life was so meek that those who witnessed His ministry scoffed at the idea that He was divine. It is stated in Mark 6:1–3:

¹ He went away from there and came to His hometown, and His disciples followed Him. ² And on the Sabbath He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished, saying “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to Him? How are such mighty works done by His hands? ³ Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him.

Clearly, Jesus did not spend the majority of His young life performing miracles and exhibiting the full range of His divine abilities. If He had, it is reasonable to assume those who had known Him this well—well enough to know His parentage, siblings, and profession—would have expressed no shock at His abilities.

So, what did Jesus do?

Young Jesus Before Ministry

As the scriptures provide all we need to know, I found my answer in that single childhood story.

At twelve years old, Jesus was left behind in Jerusalem after He and His family spent time in Jerusalem celebrating the Festival of Passover (Luke 2:41–43). After a whole day of travels, Joseph and Mary realized Jesus was not among them and returned to Jerusalem (44–45). They searched for three whole days, only to find Him in the temple courts among the teachers “listening to them and asking them questions” (46).

Even as a child, Jesus was perfect and infinitely more capable than I am as an adult. This is clearly shown while He was in the temple: “ ⁴⁷And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. ⁴⁸ And when His parents saw Him, they were astonished.”

But even Jesus showed activity and growth within His community throughout His young life. As the scripture says, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man” (52).

A Lesson Learned

The beginnings of Jesus’s life taught me what I needed to know as a new Christian: before ministry comes preparation. To prepare for a life of ministry requires the eagerness to learn, the humility to be taught, and the patience to grow.

Where I stand now, there are some questions I certainly can answer, a gospel I can share, and invitations to church and Christian community I can give. As for the rest, I am still reminding myself to have patience as God sanctifies me to fulfill the inclination toward ministry He has given me.

And if the Lord of the universe, the most perfect man to ever exist, could sit and listen to others for thirty years before sharing the Good News only He could bring, I can certainly submit myself to learn at His perfect pace, no matter how long that may be.

So, if you are facing impatience, do as Christ did. Engage with Christian community, lean on spiritual leaders who can guide you in your walk, and trust that God will give you all you need to serve Him and His Church when the time is right.