How many times has it been said, “Patience is a virtue”? How many times have you said it to someone who was acting rash, and thus needed to be calmed down? What does it really mean to be patient? For how long are we to be patient? The questions go on and on and what is more perplexing is that there seems to be no real solid answers to these questions. But to God, his strategy is built upon the foundations of patients. To be godly in your life is to be patient, because that is the legacy you leave to your children, family, and your husband, or wife. In that we are to be patient all the days of our lives, no matter how long you shall live.
“13But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13, NKJV).
This week I wanted to talk just a little about something that occurred to me while flipping through the bible, as I was praying for strength in my personal life this past Sunday in church. See as a human I want things which I cannot have in my life, at least in this moment. We are constantly looking for instant gratification, wanting more and more until we have what we want then we want something else. But in this cycle there are some things we should never have in the first place. Some of use are like a child in a sand box, wanting all the other children’s toys so badly until, they reach out a grab all of them, snatching them away from the other children. What does this have to do with patience you may ask? Well God lets none of these acts stand, and with patience the other children will redeem what they have lost. What drives us all crazy is that time laps, between our rights being violated, to when we get back what we have lost. It is in that time laps that we are being tested by God.
That single moment in time, which to use could be hours, days, weeks, and even years, but to God is a single moment of injustice, and tribulation which rocks us to our very core. It is this which God wants so desperately to see we to can show restraint, and patience for those around us who are incapable of patience. He wants us to show we are mature in our faith by testing us, using those people in our lives who know not of peace, kindness, tolerance, compassion, and love. It is quite fascinating to see how God uses other people as like a skill saw, or hammer, to drill into our personality those things which we lack. His method, his strategy builds within us the characteristics of perseverance, loyalty, compassion, and hope. Because when we do show patience we exemplify God, and we give him glory.
Gods perfect foundation of his kingdom could never have been laid without patience being the rock, the corner stone as it takes great tribulation to test and to purify that which is imperfect. His strategy is clear, but to us as human beings, it is so convoluted and intermixed with agony, suffering, and moments of personal grief, and pain. Often times the pain and heart ache is so great we entertain, however brief, turning away from God, quitting, and walking away from Him. In our hearts we feel no hope, and we often times blame God for our own sin. The true want in that moment, is for the pain to stop, but if it does will we not learn the lessons God wants us to learn? Will we not come to the true understanding of patience, and help build the solid foundation of heaven?
“20For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps” (1Peter 2:20-21, NKJV).
“All things are difficult before they are easy” (Thomas Fuller, 1608-1661).
Suffering is but momentary, and this that we may look at or take as being punished is in reality the nurturing hand of God. For how much did Jesus suffer for us, how much did he take for us, how many times did Jesus stand up and was ridiculed and put down in our name? How many sins did Jesus take upon his shoulders and bared for us so that we might be saved? How patient was Jesus with his disciples, with the church leaders, the people who asked for healing? No where in the bible is there a rash judgment or act done which was not first proceeded with Jesus being patient. Everything Jesus did form the being to the end, was done purposefully, and patiently. Our earthly trials and tribulations are given to us, and are individually specialized for us to achieve what Gods wants us to achieve. Consider a life time of tribulation handed to John Milton, and English poet who went blind. Consider his poem which reflects his blindness, referencing the moment he no longer could see:
And that one Talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He returning chide,
“Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need
Either man’s work or his own gifts. Who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed,
And post o’er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait.
May peace be with you all the days of your life. If you have been moved by this blog I invite you to become a follower, and learn to Listen Faithfully to our Lord Jesus Christ.