Romans 5:3-4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Have you ever rolled up to a 4 way stop at the same time someone else has and they just sit there? Then when you take the initiative to move forward they do too? After a little break tapping and inching forward, one of you eventually gets moving and out of the way. Sometimes patience is thin and you don't even give a courteous pause for the other driver, while other times you lift your hand and tell them to go.
We have those moments in the Christian life as well. We can come to an intersection and pause, or we can gun it and race forward. If you are an aggressive type person, you may find you are blowing through moments in your Christian life when God is wanting you to pause for someone else.
We get so caught up in ourselves and our lives when we are in busy seasons, that we forget others are also traveling through this world with us. We hurry trying to get ahead or check off our life's goals and many times view others as expendable or unnecessary. We are so impatient with those who would impede our journey with their lack of experience that we ourselves have gained through tribulations. So, at the moments when we could (and should) pause for another sister or brother in Christ, we run over them in our selfish haste. This is sad, don't you think?
Mom and I have talked a lot this past week about giving people a chance. Mom is almost 70, so there is a lot of wisdom in her that is the product of tribulation. She says that it just takes time and people can change. If we are patient, we will see life teach other people lessons that it has already taught us, so we shouldn't be impatient with their spiritual growth. None of us are on the same time table.
I equate Mom's advice with a four way stop. I don't want to be aggressive as a Christian, and I have a tendency to be aggressive about pretty much everything. Patience is NOT my strong point, but I have noticed as I work on this area, it is possible to change. I believe if you practice something, you can actually achieve it through the help of the Lord Jesus Christ. Don't believe me? Try it in some area of your life where you need to pause. When your mouth wants to open and say something it shouldn't, pause. It is possible. When your anger wants to flare and you are sure of an emotional explosion, pause. After trying it several times, you will gain some confidence in the patience God is giving you.
Think of how many people in your life that have paused for you. They let you grow as a Christian, even though they knew you were making some dumb mistakes! They were kind enough to lend a hand when you collided with the Truth and realized you had made an error in judgment. Can you not extend the same courtesy to someone? I believe we can, and we ought to!
Next time you come up on someone who is trying to get somewhere in life, be patient. Let them learn....don't ram your life into theirs just to try and teach them a lesson. That is God's job. Everyone has to go through their own tribulations to learn that patience that will eventually give them hope. Don't rob them of their moments to learn.
Until Next Time, Lord Willing,
Sheri
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