I love blackberries. I think they are my favorite fruit.
The other day I bought a container of them while we were out grocery shopping. I always look them over carefully before buying, I want to make sure there aren’t any that have begun to spoil.
I had been taking a few out each morning to have with my breakfast and on the 3rd morning, there they were. Three big berries with white mold on them! Disappointed I quickly removed them from the basket and in the trash they went. I washed the others knowing they could be tainted by those that had begun to spoil. It happens that way…
Good fruit can become tainted if we aren’t careful.
That brings me to this morning’s thoughts. We have been blessed with the fruit of the Spirit. He fills our lives and conforms our character with love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, meekness, faith and patience.
Impatience is a fruit of selfishness! Most of our objections around things that make us impatient start with I. I think, I can, I want my way.
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 any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He’s not impatient!
“The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:9 CEV
This morning I was reading in John 13. This is 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 he misunderstands…
“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.'” John 13:6-8 ERV
Jesus was patient with Peter and his impertinence. How many times has the Lord been patient with our failings, our shortcomings, our wanderings. He has been there to pick us up, welcome us home and encourage us to “go our way and sin no more”.
And now He is asking us to become patient with ourselves and with others. To show them 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
Pluck out impatience and let the good fruit remain.