Love Is Patient
Love Is Patient
“Love is patient.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4
How patient are you?
Love can make us do things that we wouldn’t normally do. I’ve always found it interesting how things that irritate us when one person does them don’t bother us when someone else, whom we love, does them. Patience can definitely be one of those things we give some, but not others.
What are some things or people with whom you tend to struggle to have patience?
God does not command us to love some and not others. We are to love everyone and that means being patient…with everyone.
So that means…
- Being patient with the customer rep on the phone
- Being patient with the person driving 10 under the speed limit (I struggle with that one)
- Being patient waiting for the end of the school year
- Being patient with a rebellious child
That’s not to say we don’t address the issue, if appropriate, but we have patience while dealing with it.
God is Love…God is Patient.
As is so often the case, God demonstrates this aspect of love with us as well. He is patient with us. He is patient as we eek along in growing in our faith. He is patient as we struggle with sin. He doesn’t excuse the sin but continues to show us grace in forgiveness. And He is ultimately patient with the world. When looking towards Christ’s second coming, Peter wrote this,
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
Heavenly Father,
Thank you, Lord, for showing us patience and for working for our salvation. Help me to be patient with others like You are patient with me.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
