One of the things I learned right after moving to Philly is that you’d better be on your toes at the traffic lights. If you miss going on the green by more than, say, 1/4 of a second, you get a friendly,
or not so friendly, nudge, in the form of a horn reminder. Let’s face it, patience is not our strong suit.
We are increasingly used to having it our way quickly, and when the line is too long, the tellers too few, or the download too slow, we often feel, and then show, our displeasure.
This is not a big deal for most people, for we tend to think that we are right and normal, and our expectation is that when we need or want something, it should be there for us. It’s called a sense of entitlement, and our culture is really into that.
But impatience is an issue for a serious Christian, for the Bible often admonishes us to wait, and speaks of patience as a virtue.
“I waited patiently for the Lord. . .” Psalm 40:1
“Be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.” James 5:7
“We wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” Romans 15:4
“Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.” Hebrews 6:15
“The fruit of the Spirit is. . . patience. . .” Galatians 5:22
“We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities. . .” 1 Corinthians 6:4
“Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults. . .” Ephesians 4:2
See the problem? If I’m impatient with God and His promises, it’s because I don’t believe them, or think He is slack in keeping them. If I am impatient with others, it’s because I don’t love them (enough), or have forgotten they are made in God’s image and that I, myself am imperfect and sometimes late.
We probably knew that, or suspected it all along, right? But what now? How do we translate that into action? Is it possible for us to become more patient?
Let’s wait until tomorrow. Maybe there’s a good answer! In the mean time, meditate upon this.
“A patient man has great understanding,
but a quick-tempered man displays folly.”
Proverbs 14:29