The LORD is a nurturer. He cultivates His virtues in us so what we produce reflects His character and produces fruits that bring Him glory. How can we more appreciate the value of patience so God can bring us to reflect more of His nature and character?“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).
We live in a society that hardly appreciates patience. It rather encourages and pushes us to move faster, doing more. God would prefer we do better than more. Quantity is something the world measures and has no problem producing. Quality is something that more reflects the virtue of God’s Spirit. It is in fact a fruit of His Spirit.
RELEVANCE
I once worked in a sales capacity and maintained the lowest number of appointments; a metric management used to measure activity. To their surprise—but for God’s glory—I produced the greatest quality of results—revenues. Although they didn’t like my method, they certainly appreciated the results; God’s results. They measured me as being deficient according to their standards, but through diligence, faith and patience, I outperformed the standard and inherited what God had intended for me to possess; His promises. They gave me recognition; but I gave God the glory.
“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:11-12).
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (2 Peter 1:5-8).
REFLECT AND RELATE
Examine your efforts according to God’s standards. No man can take away from you the virtues God cultivates, which are working in you a “more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Seek His reward. You will feel more fulfilled and satisfied in a way that counts more and brings greater peace to your soul. In what area may God be asking you to have more patience?
REFERENCES
Romans 15:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:17