Being faithful to our Lord means being willing to wait, even if we are not content to wait

In life, there are some things we consider so important that we want them to be resolved rapidly, even immediately. Some wrongs may seem so egregious that any delay in their redressal feels like a wrong in itself. Yet, we often lack the power to bring about the desired change or, at the very least, to bring it about as swiftly as we would like.

Understanding that things unfold according to the Lord’s plan requires recognizing that His pace differs from ours, or from the pace we desire. Faithfulness to our Lord involves two key aspects:

  1. Confidence that justice will ultimately be done by the Lord.
  2. Patience to allow the Lord to act in His own way and in His own time.

Even the greatest devotees, such as the Pandavas, endured years of exile, and even the Lord’s own consort, Mother Sita, faced nearly a year of abduction. For us, waiting under such circumstances can make it extremely difficult to feel content. Expecting ourselves to be filled with positive emotions while wrongs remain unresolved is not only unreasonable but also dehumanizing.

However, even if we can’t feel content while waiting, we can still be willing. This willingness involves restraining our emotions of discontent with the slow pace of progress. Such restraint can paradoxically become an expression of devotion, which is the deepest and richest of all emotions.

The Bhagavad Gita (9.14) highlights that even purely devoted souls have to strive greatly in their service to the Lord. This striving might sometimes mean pushing through immense challenges to move things forward forcefully. At other times, it might mean holding back resolutely, trusting that the Lord sees the bigger picture far better than we do.

Trusting that the Lord’s actions will ultimately serve the greater good requires immense faith. While we may not always see how His plans are unfolding, being willing to wait, even without contentment, reflects our trust in His wisdom and His timing.

Summary:

  • When wrongs are not being corrected, or not corrected as swiftly as we would like, devotion doesn’t require us to feel content with the delay. However, it does require us to be patient, trusting that the Lord knows best how to bring about the best outcomes.
  • Devotional determination can manifest in two ways: either by pushing for change when it is necessary or by holding back when patience aligns better with serving the Lord.
  • Restraining our discontent at the pace of change can be a powerful expression of devotion, showing trust in the Lord’s greater vision.

Think it over:

  • Why is it unreasonable to expect ourselves to feel content with the slow pace of change?
  • Why might being willing to accept the pace of change be necessary in our devotion?
  • Identify one area where change is slower than you would like, and reflect on how you can cultivate willingness to accept the pace of change, even if you cannot feel content with it.

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09.14 Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.