How you noticed that there are many cultures who are not obsessed with time? They seem to be in no obvious hurry. They have time to stop, visit with friends and strangers and go unhurried throughout their day.
Some countries see value and beauty in taking your time, doing it right and enjoying the journey. What a contrast to many of us in America who want to hurry things along, take charge, get finished and on to the next conquest.
Impatience is a fruit of selfishness!
It’s true – “I” don’t have time to wait; “I” could do it better; “I” deserve to be treated better than this; “I” told you to do it “my” way. And it goes on and on. Most of our objections around things that make us impatient start with I.
How contrary that is to God’s character!
He waited for just the right time to send Jesus. Jesus walked this earth teaching the same thing over and over, the love of God and restoration to Him, and still people didn’t get it. And now God is waiting again, He is not willing that anyone should die without having relationship with Him and so He waits.
In John 13 we find Jesus final Passover celebration with his disciples before His crucifixion. He takes the role of a servant and starts washing the disciples feet. Peter objects, not understanding but Jesus doesn’t become impatient. He takes time to explain His purpose to Peter and still Peter misunderstands…
“It was almost time for the Jewish Passover festival. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go back to the Father. Jesus had always loved the people in the world who were his. Now was the time he showed them his love the most.
2 Jesus and his followers were at the evening meal. The devil had already persuaded Judas Iscariot to hand Jesus over to his enemies. (Judas was the son of Simon.) 3 The Father had given Jesus power over everything. Jesus knew this. He also knew that he had come from God. And he knew that he was going back to God. 4 So while they were eating, Jesus stood up and took off his robe. He got a towel and wrapped it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a bowl and began to wash the followers’ feet.[a] He dried their feet with the towel that was wrapped around his waist.
6 He came to Simon Peter. But Peter said to him, “Lord, you should not wash my feet.” 7 Jesus answered, “You don’t know what I am doing now. But later you will understand.” 8 Peter said, “No! You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “If I don’t wash your feet, you are not one of my people.”
9 Simon Peter said, “Lord, after you wash my feet, wash my hands and my head too!” 10 Jesus said, “After a person has a bath, his whole body is clean. He needs only to wash his feet. And you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 Jesus knew who would hand him over to his enemies. That is why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” John 13:1-11 ERV
How many times has the Lord been patient with our failings, our shortcomings, our wanderings, our lack of understanding? Just like Peter, many times we are dense and unaware of what Jesus is teaching us. He has been there to pick us up, brush us off and encourage us to grow and see things from His perspective.
He asks us to be patient with ourselves and with others. He wants us to show the same love and compassion He has shown to us. When we are patient, we are Christ-like and our lives will reflect His love.
“My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. 3 You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. 4 If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be.” James 1:2-4 ERV
Be aware today if you find yourself in hurry and becoming impatient and less than loving. We are being given an opportunity for patience to grow, making us all that God wants us to be.
Look for opportunities to patiently love today!