“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” - Colossians 3:12 (NIV).
Road users in Uganda are likely to witness two constant happening. First, there is that driver who keeps in his queue, quietly moving along with sometimes a painfully slow moving traffic. He bids his time and after a while traffic clears and gets to his destination. Then, there is that ever impatient driver, who has no time to stick to a queue, but keeps crudely jumping others in front, sometimes ending up causing a third or fourth lane, which then blocks the rest of road users and brings all traffic to a standstill.
Now, there are cases where those who jump queues can be excused because of an emergency, just like hospital ambulances. However, there are those for whom this is a habit, and actually they despise those who stay in their lane, as hopelessly slow thinking. It is like others have nowhere to go or have urgent matters to attend to, just them alone! Some people call that being selfish, a vice.
Being patient is one of the virtues that characterize the new life in Christ. Hebrews 6:15 says, “And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.” Abraham waited patiently for God to lead him to the Promised Land. The Psalmist says, “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3). The Apostle James observes, “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” (James 5:7-8).
There are rules that govern our civil conduct and when we observe them we are all at peace. Being considerate of others, is one of those expected of any road user. However, because of the impatience of some, the police has to be deployed to make sure everyone stays in his lane. The person of the world needs someone to caution him to be patient, but for a believer being patient is decidedly one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I rise and pray that you help me be patient in my affairs, as a sign of the working of the Holy Spirit in me, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
Related upcoming events
-
17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
