Patience

Image by *** Fanch The System !!! *** via Flickr

The fruit of the Spirit is.....patience.....Therefore, brothers, be patient until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord's coming is near.
Galatians 5:22 James 5:7-8

We all know the famous prayer, 'Lord, give me patience, and give it to me now!'. We may smile but how many times have we called out to God for a 'quick fix' and ignored all the resources He has already given us. If His Spirit lives within us then there will be fruit in evidence. Perhaps the growth will be at different stages but it will be there nonetheless. Sometimes we have to dig deep to unearth what God has placed within us.

When we find ourselves in need, of course we should call upon God, but let's also get up from our place of prayer and use the gifts He has already given us, loving Him with all our heart, soul and strength. And as we enjoy His fruit and use His gifts with patience and commitment, who knows what works of art we might produce.

Comments

Carla said…

Truly amazing.

12 December 2007 at 20:59

Barbara said…

Just popped over to catch up with you and see you have done quite a few postings. Amen to all of them.
I have to confess that patience is something that God still has to deal with in my life.
I meant to mention on your testimony post, we were part of house church too and are now back in tht situation.
I have another chapter up and hopefully another next weekend.
Blessings to you Mike.
The pavement artists are amazing.

12 December 2007 at 22:09

A Bit of the Blarney said…

What a perfect visual for patience. My mother always says one should pray for perseverance. If we pray for patience there may come to us a reason to BE patient. I too believe that prayer is an active not passive activity. It requires action from us in many ways, not sitting and waiting for the answer. This was a tremendous reflection. Thank you!!

12 December 2007 at 22:45

Paulie said…

We have some pavement artists here in my town. Unfortunately, they do it in chalk and the rains quickly make them do a disappearing act. That was a beautiful sample of artistic gifts.

Yes, God always calls us to action once we have expressed our needs. God already knows what is in our hearts -- He just wants us to acknowledge we need His help and then He gives us the act on it.

Thanks for your daily meditation.

12 December 2007 at 22:50

Lance said…

All good things come in time for those who wait upon the Lord. As always yor pictures are just perfect.
God bless.

13 December 2007 at 01:49

Suz. said…

it is nice to know that patience is a gift of the HS, that we don't have to muster it up somehow.

13 December 2007 at 07:10

inspired said…

doesn't come much better than this :]

13 December 2007 at 11:33

Rowdy said…

Brilliant post.

13 December 2007 at 12:30

Gudl said…

Amen!
Yes, blessings to you, Mike
(my son's name is Mike, too, btw)

13 December 2007 at 12:53

dot said…

Wonderful post!

13 December 2007 at 13:36

Amrita said…

I am most impatient when i am not submitting myself to God. I want everything instantly and get disappointed easily. God is teaching me His ways.Say a prayer for me.

13 December 2007 at 16:04

Anonymous said…

Patience is not one of my strongest points!

13 December 2007 at 18:52

Marie said…

I have to admit patience IS something I struggle with.

I always pray 'Lord, I'm still waiting for patience'LOL!

Excellent post:)

Marie

14 December 2007 at 04:11

Great reminder, MIke!

I'm as impatient as the next guy who, thinking that he has prayed that "call out to God" prayer that things will almost immediately become better.

You'd think that by now we'd all have learned that God works all things good for those who love Him, in His time! ;)

God bless, and Shalom!

14 December 2007 at 06:03

TMM said…

Excellent post and picture...=)

14 December 2007 at 06:51