Finding Our Rhythm: Patience and the Unscripted Blessings of Life

There are times when we feel like our lives—our spiritual journeys, our relationships, even our plans for the future—are being measured against some invisible, perfectly timed celestial calendar. We get baptized at eight, we move through the structured milestones of youth, and then, suddenly, the map seems to dissolve. Where is the chapter and verse for 'When do I get married?' or 'When do I feel ready to serve full-time?'

It can leave us anxious, feeling like we've missed a required module in our discipleship curriculum. It’s a feeling I know so well, the feeling of the 'in-between' years where the structure thins out, and we are left to trust the whisperings of the Spirit.

Recently, I was reminded of a talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. and Sister Patricia T. Holland. While their message was framed around marriage, the core counsel resonated with every single one of us—whether we are preparing for our first mission, navigating a difficult transfer, or simply trying to keep the cogs of daily life turning while trying to be more Christlike.

What struck me most was their gentle acknowledgment of imperfection—the 'scar tissue' that proves they are real people who have worked things out. And then came the counsel that felt like a balm to the soul:

“Don’t rush things needlessly and unnaturally. Nature has its rhythms and its harmonies. We would do well to fit ourselves as best we can with those cycles rather than frantically throwing ourselves against them.”

This is powerful counsel for any disciple, especially those of us who are constantly trying to 'optimize' our spiritual lives. We are always looking for the next skill to master, the next book to read, the next conference to attend, the next way to feel 'more prepared' for the work. We want to be so efficient in our discipleship that we forget to simply *be* disciples.

Being an Internet missionary, or even just a disciple in our own homes, requires a profound level of patience. It means accepting that the Spirit doesn't always deliver answers in the neat sequence we expect. It means trusting that the Lord has a rhythm for us, even when our own anxieties are screaming for a timeline.

Be Patient with the Season You Are In

Whether you are currently in the intense preparation phase before your mission call, or perhaps you are a returned missionary who is now integrating that intense focus back into the rhythms of professional life, the lesson remains: Be present. Be happy with the season you are in.

If you are feeling the pressure to move faster—to get to the next big milestone—I encourage you to pause and ask yourself: What is the Lord asking me to learn *right now*? Maybe it’s not about the next assignment; maybe it’s about mastering the art of listening when the Spirit whispers rather than shouts. Maybe it’s about finding joy in the quiet moments of study, like diving into a Book Club discussion or spending time in the Social Scripture Study feed.

Remember, the goal isn't to race through the curriculum of life; the goal is to build a life characterized by enduring discipleship. We are all learning to fit ourselves to the harmonies of the Lord’s plan, not the frantic pace of our own anxieties.

If this message of gentle patience resonated with you, I invite you to join us for our next weekly Disciple Challenge. It’s a low-pressure way to focus on one small aspect of discipleship each week, keeping the momentum going without the pressure of a rigid schedule. Let’s keep building that spiritual muscle together.

For those who love deep dives into doctrine, I highly recommend revisiting the writings of Iron Rod. If you haven't, check out the latest insights on the nature of revelation available in LivingBook. It's a wonderful resource for grounding ourselves in foundational truths!