Cafe Menu for Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Today’s Special is Got Patience?
Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Meaghan Coale
Main Ingredient – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
Entrée – Have you ever prayed for patience? After doing so, have you wanted to say “never mind God”? I have, especially because God is quick to answer me. Before I know what hits me, my A/C unit does not work, my children are not cooperating, I’m upset with myself, I’m disappointed in the lack of help I’m receiving from God… Are you getting the picture? I was hoping God would just give me patience. Better yet, God is giving me many opportunities to practice patience. God tests me by making me wait on His plan and His will. He tests me with real people and real situations. He even gives me the Holy Spirit and His Word to keep me in check with my actions.
Patience is defined as enduring hardship without complaint. It’s associated with calmness, self-control, willingness to tolerate delay, and giving up what is due. The list goes on. No wonder patience is a virtue. We live in an instant society. We want everything yesterday and do not want to experience any discomfort in the meanwhile. If life was truly that easy, would we feel the need for God? When we face trials of many kinds, God wants us to consider it pure joy. It is our opportunity to become more like Christ. Our trials give us endurance, perseverance, character, faith, and hope. If we are fortunate enough, through it all we will experience the fruit of the Spirit – patience.
Life is going to happen regardless. We can choose to be impatient. Impatience usually makes a bad situation even worse. It causes you to worry, be angry, discontent…all the things God warns you to stay away from. He does not want you to handle it on your own. He hopes you’ll lean on him. So next time when things do not go your way, you can smile, knowing God is molding you, because he loves you. Have an eternal perspective and look forward to the day that God says to you….”Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Take out –Dear Lord, Thank you that You have patience with us. Thank you that You forgive and forget. Thank you that You are a God of second, third, & fourth chances. Thank you that You never give up on us. Lord help us to see each trial in our life as an opportunity to become more like your Son. Please give us Your strength to do so. Help us to share Your patience with the world. In Jesus name, Amen.
Dessert: Galatians 5:22; Romans 5:3-5; Isaiah 40:31
© 2010 by Meaghan Coale. All rights reserved.
