In Galatians chapter 5, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Most Christians long to develop these characteristics in their lives. I mean, what Christian doesn't want to be more loving, more joyful, have a deeper sense of peace? And what Christian doesn't desire to demonstrate a spirit of kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Patience on the other hand, isn't quite so popular. It's certainly my least favorite fruit.
The problem with patience is that the only way to develop it is by waiting. Oh, I know that the Bible in a number of places talks about the importance of patience and that we should look to the example of people like Job when it comes to being patient. But personally, I just don't like waiting.
Ever since Jason entered the culinary world, I've been watching the Food Channel. Two of shows I most often watch are Rachel Ray's Thirty Minute Meals and Alton Brown's Good Eats. Their approach to cooking is dramatically different. Rachel shows her audience how to whip together an entire meal in just a half hour. Alton's recipes, on the other hand, often take hours, sometimes days to prepare a single dish.
Sometimes I wish God would come up with a Thirty Minutes to Spiritual Fruits, then I might be more inclined to want to develop patience. However, I know it can't work that way. The joy and effort of the preparation is as important as the final product. So I guess I'll have to learn to wait and trust that whatever God has in store will be delectable.
Have you ever prayed "Lord give me patience...and give it to me now please!"
Posted by: Greg Hazelrig | March 27, 2007 at 04:00 AM