Why Patience?

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. -- 2 Tim. 4:2

I've been a pastor and a preacher for 17 years now. One thing I've learned in the course of that time is that preaching is a long-term activity. The temptation is to make it short-term and to think that I must have results right away.