"Patience My Young Padawan"
Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, but Samuel said, "What is this you have done?"
Saul replied, "I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn't arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. (1 Samuel 13:10, 11 NLT)
Patience. It seems to be one of the most allusive fruits of the Spirit. In this day, waiting for something is almost unheard of. We want stuff now so we buy it with money we don't have. We want bigger & better so we borrow to buy what we want. We want it all & we want it now!
Saul gets anxious waiting on a tardy Samuel & so he takes matters into his own hands. He has the best of intentions but doesn't obey. When it comes to our intentions, they matter very little when we disobey. As soon as he gets impatient, Samuel arrives. If only he would have waited.
Ever have any of these moments? If only moments? How many times do we get ahead of God? Take matters into our own hands & do what God is not doing in our lives that we think must be done?
A lack of patience is really self-reliance. It's saying that we know better than God. Our timing is better than his. Our desires, passions, & perspectives are of more priority than his. A lack of patience shows a lack of trust in God & his character. Patience is not just an option, it's essential in us doing God's will. It's essential in obedience. When we aren't living lives of patience we most likely aren't living lives of obedience.
In what areas of our lives do we lack patience? Where has not being patient led to us missing God's best for us?Where do we need to show more patience? Relationships? Finances? Whatever area it is in our lives that we need to show more patience, let's ask the Spirit to give us the grace to bear this fruit! In this way, we will avoid the "if only" moments.
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