Nougat 11

I can still remember reading Romans 5 and the deflation that accompanied the realization: Tribulations taught patience. An avid bookworm, I was reading during morning worship to keep me out of trouble. In my naivité I figured I’d simply NOT ask God for patience – voila- no tribulation! But God knows better. For unless we live in a bubble outside of human existence; there will be something to try our patience.

Having figured that those moments will come; what then? Here’s today’s Holy Nougat

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Part of the act of being Patient involves making allowance for another’s faults. No, we’re not talking about sitting passively and accepting abuse. Rather in keeping with the concept of being humble; it is a demand that we avoid being inflated with ourselves because our faults are less horrible than another’s. (That gentle came immediately after humble nullifies any thought of abusive behavior – abuse does not indicate any act of humility or patience)

Further, we note that it is LOVE which begets Patience. When we operate wthout Love, overlooking another’s fault becomes a challenge; especially on a long term basis. Ironically, in the Greek, the sense is that we should be longsuffering; (aka patient) while staying upright; which would suggest that in our response; we do not lose form – ie we remain true to our Christ-like character.

If Humility is about recognizing ALL others as equal to myself in light of our common roots in Christ; then we also will recognize that the God Who forgives OUR sins, is the very same God Who forgives the other. Grace extends to ALL! The same God to Whom we appeal for help in our lives; is the same God we appeal to for those whose outlook and attitudes (perhaps even aptitudes) differ from our own.

Patience then, is recognizing the other for God’s Work-in-Progress as we are. For, inasmuch as the behavior etc of another irks us; it is highly likely that we are irking someone else. Moreover, the grace we extend reflects the grace we desire to receive from God.

And finally, if we cannot be patient out of love for the other; perhaps we could try Love for Christ. Because it is IN Him and For Him that we live the Faith we profess.

I pray each of us strength for our journeys of humility and patient endurance; undergirded by gentleness.

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May all we seek be found in Christ