Patience: Part Cinco

There is only one day left in 2016. At the stroke of midnight, tomorrow, we will be "out with the old" and "in with the new", as they say.

As I look back and reminisce on this year, I can identify times when I have been exceedingly patient, and times when I have not. This had led to blessings, and in some cases grave mistakes. It makes more sense to me to dwell on my accomplishments than on the things and times I might change.

One of the well known verses is in Paul's letter to the church in Corinth. If you have been to a wedding in the past; or even one previously for some, you will immediately identify Paul's words.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."
1 Corinthians 13: 4-5

Some recognize this as the "Love" passage. But what about patience?

Paul mentions the word "patient" in the first sentence; the third word. "Love is patient." he also follows that with "Love is kind", only separated by a comma. He obviously thought these two simple groups of phrases; patient and kind, to be of great importance as two requirements in love.

I feel compelled to try to paint a picture for what patience; mentioned first, and acts of kindness have to do with love.

Let's look at patience first.

In Proverbs 16:32, there is a verse that says, "Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city." The Book of Proverbs is thought to have an unknown author, but many are taught in seminary schools around the world that it was most likely Solomon.

Matthew writes in chapter 26, verse 52, "Put away your sword," Jesus told him. "Those who use the sword will die by the sword.", NLT

For those of us who have a high competitive nature in business, I believe these two verses are applicable to where I am going with this.

Paul obviously thought that it was paramount to have patience to show love. That may mean that we "put away our swords", even in our business dealings, to achieve the end goal. Love can be shown in our daily activities even at work. You may show love by getting your co-worker a tissue when they are upset or sick. A glass of water when they seem flustered, or "hot around the collar." While these are little things, they do show love.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to show love by using the air compressor in the trunk of my car to help someone pump a tire with enough air to get to the closest tire shop. My simple request to him, after completing that small act of kindness, was that he "pay it forward." Take a minute out of your busy day to help another in need. The end result was that he was able to get the much needed spare on his right-rear and made it to work on time.

Being patient and "putting away our swords", will go a long way toward reaching the goals we will set for ourselves in 2017.

"Love is kind."


Remember, or read the passage again; that being kind also can also be regarded as showing love for another in our daily walk with God. The two examples above would qualify as kindness. The fact that Paul links these two in one sentence is no accident. While they are not one in the same, Paul sees them as two important ingredients. When is the last time that you were kind to another person? It does not have to be someone you know well, or at the opposite end; someone on the street that you have never met.

Paul simply urges us to be kind as an act of showing love.

Again; while separate, these two phrases grouped together will allow others to know what real love is like when displayed. In saying this, we can also turn to Galatians. Paul writes there , "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

By displaying patience and kindness, we should not look for things that come our way as just a benefit for ourselves. However, Paul's writing in this verse is a statement, not a desire or wish. He is bold. It says we "will" receive a "harvest" for our efforts. The key point in that phrase, when examined, is that we will receive that blessing at the "proper time."

Only God knows when that blessing will come, so we must be patient, quiet; and in performing both kindness, and allowing patience to enter into the question, we will certainly be blessed for our efforts.

It does not take a valiant effort to show kindness, but patience on the other hand can sometimes be exhausting. Will I ever receive that promotion? Will my son or daughter ever display an ounce of appreciation in my advice? In the latter question, you may say to yourself, "Haven't I learned a few things in life by my patience and kindness?"

Rest assured, that in Paul's boldness, you will receive a harvest. Probably not today, maybe not next week, and it could theoretically be next year or years from now.

Display kindness and have patience. Again, patience may be harder to display, but these two acts; with faith; will show love, and you will receive a blessing in the future; at the proper time.