Patience

I don't know about you, but I really struggle with patience in my life. I don't know if its because we live in such a instant gratification culture that fuels my impatience, that its just a weakness of mine, or both. Probably both. But either way, I am one impatient person. I have noticed I am impatient when it comes to certain areas of my life. I'm pretty patient with others (my wife would object to that), patient with Gods will for my personal life and marriage, but extremely impatient when it comes to the ministry to that God has placed me in. Not impatient with those I serve with but impatient with the progress "I want to see" at times.

I came across a passage the other day in Genesis 29:20-28. A story that many are familiar with. Jacob serves for seven years to be with a woman he loved deeply named Rachel. In fact his love for her was so great that scripture tells us "they (the seven years) seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her" Throughout the passage we see Jacob having to jump through hoops and get past barriers to be with the woman he wanted badly. Many might say he was crazy for putting up with Rachel's father Laban, many might say they would have just walked away and sought "greener grass." But I think we see a picture of a man waiting PATIENTLY for what he knew God wanted for him.

Sometimes the goals we are working towards God is quick to show his faithfulness by giving us the grace to achieve them. Other times God is still faithful, but is testing our faithfulness and PATIENCE over time. He is at work in us developing our faith and our character. Patience is the hardest when we need it the most, but it is the key to achieving our goals and Gods will for our lives.


PJ