Being patient is all about timing. Is it time to look for a new job? Is it time to get married? Should I wait before going back to school? When should I do this or that? Wouldn’t it be simpler if God would just tell me?
Some songs are written in cut time. Instead of four beats in a measure, the music is written the same, but there’s really only two beats per measure. It’s a way of making a fast tempo easier to read. But it can be tricky to play with a group. Is the director really directing just two beats per measure? Or are they indicating all four beats? Sometimes the music is not written specifically in cut time, but the director directs it that way anyway. In the past, I often had trouble accompanying choirs singing such songs, and would start playing at either twice or half the intended speed.
I eventually figured out that it helps when I sing the words in my head (or the melody, if it doesn’t have words). Singing the first few measures helps solidify the tempo, and I can more easily figure out how fast the piano part should go.
And yes, there is an application of this factoid to being patient and listening to God. The more attuned to God we are, the more likely we are to move forward at the right speed in our lives. The more we are immersed in the Bible, the more we talk with God, the more we know about God’s past blessings and actions, the more we ‘sing’ God’s words in our hearts – the more we will be aware of God’s timing for our future plans.
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:10-11