We live in an "instant" world. We want it now, we expect it now, and we don't want to wait for whatever it is we want. It sounds blunt, and it is blunt. Fast food, Instant mashed potatoes, email, texting.. What happened to waiting?
When God requires us to wait, we usually aren't thrilled with the idea. We don't know His reason, He is God and we are not, so we don't always get to know why He makes us wait like He does. This is where patience comes in. You know you've heard it; "patience is a virtue." So why do we have such a hard time with it?
I was reading in Colossians this morning, when Paul is talking about how he is praying for the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God's will.
When God requires us to wait, we usually aren't thrilled with the idea. We don't know His reason, He is God and we are not, so we don't always get to know why He makes us wait like He does. This is where patience comes in. You know you've heard it; "patience is a virtue." So why do we have such a hard time with it?
I was reading in Colossians this morning, when Paul is talking about how he is praying for the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God's will.
"We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work
and increasing in the knowledge of God;
strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might,
for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father"
(Colossians 1:9-12)
and increasing in the knowledge of God;
strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might,
for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father"
(Colossians 1:9-12)
Patience with joy. Not halfheartedly being patient because we really have no other choice, but being patient because it pleases God. And finding joy in that patience.
Whether it's waiting in line at the grocery store, dealing with a grouchy customer at work, or waiting for God's timing on something big in life, we're called to be joyously patient. To enjoy life in the time of waiting, to be a blessing to a grouchy customer that we have to deal with, to strike up a conversation with the person behind us in line at the grocery store.
Look for what God is doing in the times He is calling you to be patient. And not only that, but to give thanks to Him during that time. Look for the "little things," because more often than not, the things we perceive as being "little" are actually rather big, God-sized things. Take a deep breath, be patient, and pray that God will show you something in your patience. Believe me, when you ask Him to do that, He does.
Whether it's waiting in line at the grocery store, dealing with a grouchy customer at work, or waiting for God's timing on something big in life, we're called to be joyously patient. To enjoy life in the time of waiting, to be a blessing to a grouchy customer that we have to deal with, to strike up a conversation with the person behind us in line at the grocery store.
Look for what God is doing in the times He is calling you to be patient. And not only that, but to give thanks to Him during that time. Look for the "little things," because more often than not, the things we perceive as being "little" are actually rather big, God-sized things. Take a deep breath, be patient, and pray that God will show you something in your patience. Believe me, when you ask Him to do that, He does.
Yeppo my dear daughter, I agree. Waiting is a verb. It is work because we are so very instant this and give-me-it-now that. I think that's why I am so prone to "hate" computers because it one way we are programming our minds to be impatient.
ReplyDeleteLook at how Jesus lived. Model Him. Model all of the saints, the real people who waited upon God throughout the Scriptures. Esther, Sarah, Mary and Martha...they must have been experts at taking deep breaths.
I love you,
Mom