Have you noticed how much people are in a hurry? – I deeply regret that sometimes I haven’t had enough time for people – it is easy to find oneself looking at the time in the middle of a conversation because there is so much to do and so little time. We need to make time for people. Listening takes time, praying takes time – quiet times take time.
I love the quotation which I believe is attributed to Charles Wesley about the pressure of time:
“…In fact I have so much to do, that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer”. Can you imagine spending three hours in prayer because you have too much to do? I wish that I could say I always spent more than 3 minutes in prayer on a busy day – but I have a long way to go on this matter. I also wonder how much effort we expend on difficult relationships, conflict, problems and upsets – which could perhaps benefit from more prayer and less talk.
The book of Proverbs has several references to patience:
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
Proverbs 14:29 [NIV]
Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
Proverbs 16:32 [NIV]
A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11 [NIV]
Patience I believe is a sign of spiritual maturity – remember the way in which Simon Peter was when first he was chosen by Jesus to be a disciple – he was impetuous, quick tempered, self-centred. He was quick to deny Jesus and didn’t appear to have the characteristics needed to carry on the work on earth after Jesus had ascended to heaven. Yet Jesus saw his heart and new his future when he prophesied:
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Matthew 16: 18-19 [NIV]
Lord help us to receive and apply the spiritual gift of patience. Teach us to wait for your perfect timing, help us to make time to spend in prayer to you. In Jesus name, Amen.
