Although we re-used the same title two weeks in a row, the topics are very different. Last week focused more on having patience with others and faith in God’s judgement over our own, and this week is much more about our internal battles. If there are two characteristics that the Holy Spirit should manifest in our lives, patience and faith will be on any short list.
This is a fun ‘chicken or the egg’ combo. Which comes first, patience or faith? Faith in God requires patience, that’s for sure. His time horizon is eternal, after all. Our arbitrary deadlines for Him to answer our prayers must seem awfully funny to Him, kind of like Christian asking me 12 times in the first five miles of a two-hour trip if we’re there yet.
On the other hand, faith itself also produces the patience that it requires, which comes in pretty handy when you’re waiting on eternity. Part of trusting God’s plan is remembering that His timing is a part of His plan. He is doing what is best, and we will see what, why and how, when it’s best for us to see it. Remembering His sovereignty frees us to relax and patiently enjoy the other parts of His plan He’s already showing us.
Even though Christian may not understand why I’m not driving 70 mph the entire trip, I know that stopping for red lights is the best call. And I don’t ration his Gatorade out of spite. I know that bathroom breaks will just make it take longer. Trust me, he doesn’t love every decision I make along the way either.
But even a 4-year-old intuitively knows that trusting his dad beats walking by himself.
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