Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (James 5:8)

While lost in the beauty of a flower in a nearby field, I pondered on the magnificence of God the “Master” behind all of its splendor. It was during this period of time I thought about the entire process of this beautiful flower.  The soil in which the seed is planted, and then over a matter of weeks, the emergence of a bud, then eventually the bud leading the way to the full blown beauty of the flower.  And what are the two common denominators in the process?  God and patience.

Our Father wants His children to be diligent in seeking His face, and patient in all that we do.  Patience is an aspect of Christ that is fundamentally apparent throughout the Bible.  If we are to take on the characteristics of Christ, put on a “new person” in Christ, aren’t we too supposed to be patient? 

There are times when many Christians will become inpatient, and want things to “happen right now” – but, to sit and wait, is to be whole in Christ.

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.(James 1:3)    

There are certain scenarios that will suddenly appear in our lives that will test our patience, and sometimes our faith.  But, much like the process of the flower, with all of its equally important stages before it makes its appearance as a full blown flower, we have to wait for the stages to pass before the scenario resolves itself.       

 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: (Romans 15:5)

While engaged in a conversation with a cousin who was being obnoxious in terms of tolerance toward a certain individual (an in-law of hers) and found my spirit becoming vastly unsettled.  I was reminded of the above passage, Romans 15:5.  I gently led her to a different path of awareness, trying to bring her into focus of how intolerant she sounded, and was acting.  In so doing, she at first resisted and got defensive, however, with a little patience and determination, she was able to accept what she was hearing.  Eventually, this conversation helped with her marriage, because the in-laws were a big problem.  Afterwards she saw the “situation” in a different light…thanks be to God.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

When the Spirit gives a prompting, or a sense of urgency on a given scenario, subject, or individual, you’ll know it, and feel it.  The person on the receiving end, when the wisdom of the Spirit comes forth will accept it.  For God and His word is powerful, and sharp…and it will touch and pierce through the flesh right to the spirit of the person which has a higher capability in terms of understanding than the flesh.

So, today as we go forth in life, in His image, on His path of righteousness…let’s do so with patience, and love.  For the ability to engage in our life, as it were, is but a blink of the eye, compared to eternity. And, as we delve deeper and deeper into His word, and His ways, and embrace patience as part of our countenance in Him, we will reap our rewards where it’s important.

Christianity is a reality, not a religion–and, heaven is not that far, life on earth is fleeting at best.   Have patience my friend, and rejoice in His love, and your rewards will be plentiful, and your cup will runneth over…

 

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And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  (Romans 5:3-4)

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.            (Ecclesiastes 7:8-9)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith (Galatians 5:22)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pic courtesy of BCF~