It’s beginning to get a bit chilly, and I’ve genuinely had to sort through my wardrobe to figure out what to wear. To accommodate the temperature changes and the precipitation, I’ve also been layering. What I’m finding is that this series is connecting in different ways. How about you, have the reflections on our spiritual wardrobe made any impact?
As we reflect on Today’s Holy Nougat, I pray that others will see a change in our lifestyles.
Colossians 3:12 NLT
[12] Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Wearing Patience
Isn’t it ironic that several of us actually speak of patience as a designer label, but usually in the negative? Some of you might have heard, or used the term, ’my patience is wearing out/thin‘, suggesting, by the word ‘wear’, that patience is a well-worn garment or shoe. But, in the thinness, we are indicating that we’re not keen on replacing it. So we do identify that it is in our wardrobe, albeit an item we don’t wish to have to utilize. Hmmmn
I’ve probably mentioned before that Jamaica has some of the most interesting place names. There’s Wait-a-Bit and Gimme-Me-Bit, as well as Mi No Sen’ Yuh No Come. And there’s also a place called Time and Patience. As I typed, the thought came to me that for many of us, Time we have in small doses … but patience – none! And of course some of us, have neither and desire neither. But that’s not what our Who we’re called to be.
When checking the Greek root of patience, I saw the pronunciation first, and found myself a bit tickled, because I mis-saw the word marathon, instead of ‘_makrothumia_’, which we read as long-suffering or forbearance. And HELPS Word-studies indicates that it derives from _makrós_ (like macro) meaning long, and thymos, which refers to anger. They suggest then that it is long-passion, ie taking long to get angry, avoiding the premature use of force or retribution subsequent to hasty reactions. If combined with my mis-sight, we realize that patience IS a marathon; as we opt to regulate our emotions before responding. Ouch
Self-Check
Looking back at the image in the mirror, has our patience worn thin, do we need to replace it?
What do we do to maintain patience in our lives?
Application
Of course, we realize by now that all the different items are best worn together. They are together the fancy Divine Designer label that we need to be complete. For there’s need to exercise kindness when living patience – it’s not just a random act. Moreover, patience is more than just counting to 10, from 100 backwards, or regulating our anger. It’s also relying on Gods timing to know when to say what, and what to say when in those trying moments, as well as avoiding knee-jerk reactions. Sometimes, it even involves setting aside our hurts and concerns to address someone else’s more pressing issue.
True patience isn’t about yoga or meditation, but is rooted in a desire to live as God has prescribed through Y’shua’s life. It involves intentionality of entertaining God’s Spirit so that when we do get angry, we don’t sin. By extension, we don’t allow the anger to fester, for then it distorts our outfit! Patience isn’t revenge, but involves self control. A truly delicate outfit that must be carefully worn by us believers. By God’s grace, we can wear it well.
Assignment
Even as we count and breathe deeply to master the anger marathon, let’s include prayer to God to overcome the negative emotions that may bubble up.
Remember that patience takes time. Let’s visit Time and Patience in God’s Haute Couture Designer Store.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
