Have you ever been passed by some vehicle on the road that seemed in such a hurry, only to find them 2 cars ahead of you at a stoplight down the road? Or maybe you have been that vehicle, because you were running late for an appointment, and despite your spectacular driving skills, didn’t make up much time in your rush to get where you were going? Every time I find myself in a situation where I am hurrying to get somewhere, I always say that if I would just leave 5 minutes earlier, I wouldn’t have to speed, hurry, or worry at all to get where I am going. Yet, eventually, I find myself in the same situation, saying the same thing again. What happens when you are in a hurry and someone else seems to be in your way to get where you are going…what is your response?
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
What other places can our patience be tried? If you are like me, sometimes I run into a store looking for only a few specific things and then to get out as fast as possible. Especially in the grocery store, I look for the line that seems to be the shortest (or maybe there is only 1 line) and hope to get through quickly. But eventually, we may realize we got in the wrong line, as one of the people ahead of you has an issue, or 8 coupons, or questions a price, etc. You may just have to bite your lip and take a deep breath, because getting upset doesn’t really make things go faster, right? Whenever we have to wait on someone else to get where we are going, it is easy to become critical. Have you ever had people waiting on you to get something done? What was your response then?
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16
What about when you have to wait on God for an answer to prayer, or for dealing with an issue you have had for some time? Are you patient enough to grow in the process, or do you negotiate and put limits on how long you will wait? There have been times where I have grown weary in waiting on what I was wanting, but I found that when I surrendered the whole issue to Him, that I didn’t have to worry in the waiting. That even if I didn’t get what I wanted, when I wanted, or even at all, it was still ok, because God is God. Is there anything you need to surrender to Him in your life today? When we get impatient with others, let us remember how patient He can be with us, and how to grow in the process as we wait.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Yours in Christ,
Clark
