Listening to the Holy Spirit:
How many years have I given My grace and mercy to you? Still you grow short with those slow, even as you are slow to change. My hand is upon you, leaving you never. I tarry, that you would one day shed the ways of the past, giving reflection of the Lord of Heaven and Glory to the Father. My Spirit beckons you on, but the call to habit is not broken. So why do you throw to them, what is not thrown at you. You are aware of My awareness – the heart within you, the deep understanding of heart and mind, yet you challenge others in impatience to climb hills you yourself cannot master, and in short days ago, were master over you. Extend grace as I have extended to you. I am long-suffering for those who call Me Lord, who strive for the holiness of God, but still fall to the things that they are growing to hate. Lighten your hand. The strength that presses down can also lift. Forgive and encourage, that in kindness they may grow, as in My kindness you have grown. Correct only in love, and do not take anger of your own failures to the doorstep of another. Be as I Am with you – each time. It is My reflection in you.
Exodus 34:6 (ESV) – The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger…
Eph 4:2 (ESV) – With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.
2Pet 3:9 (ESV) – The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Gal 5:22 (ESV) – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience…
Col 3:12 (ESV) – Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…
Taking It to Work:
I heard a saying one time that really stuck with me. “We are quick to judge the motives of others, but easily accept our own excuses”. I guess it hit me hard, because I can, and have, judged the motives of others wrongly, and at the same time will easily cut myself slack for my own less-than-stellar behavior.
For most of us, it easy to think the worst of people, but think highly of our own reasons and motives. If I’m late with that proposal or was grumpy with that customer, I can tell you all the good reasons why, but let me overhear someone else talk to a customer like that, or miss his deadlines, well, that’s just inexcusable. Lots of patience with my own shortcomings, but no so much with the rest of the world.
The poet says patience is a virtue, the Bible says it is of the fruit of the Spirit and an element of love. God uses the term longsuffering, and slow to anger when He describes Himself. We must recall that God’s patience with us was one of the first undeserved gifts given to us, and it all likelihood, we are still in great need of it.
In the bustle of the workplace, or the chaos at home, we can grow impatient with repeated mistakes, lack of effort and slow learning. We need to calibrate ourselves. Look how patient God has been with us with those very same things.
How patient has He been with you? Has it been years, or decades? If you’re like me, it’s a wonder He hasn’t just given up altogether. I definitely fit in the slow-learner category.
When Jesus says to treat others as we would want to be treated, our continual patience and forgiveness is a great place to start. It is where He started with us, and where He continues be, as His Word works in us, today.
