Working on the ropes sector of camp was one that provided a lot of opportunities for patience. In fact, my fellow ropes staff and I would pray each and every day before starting whatever ropes element we were running that day, and we would joke to never, ever pray for patience. Because when we did, that was the day the kid freaked out on the leap of faith and we would have to either go get them, or wait an hour and a half for them to jump, while straining our necks and staring at the sun 35 feet up, not to mention, controlling the remaining kids on the ground, waiting their turns to freak out too. Now, this was part of the job. Helping kids work through fears and know what it was like to step out in faith. While it was straining and long and hot, we would absolutely love to see a kid actually do it, because we could see the connection being made in their eyes as they were swung down from their leap. Patience pays off and it is truly a sign of love.
As we continue our study on the practicalities of Agape love, let us realize that it is incredible how a loving God will be so patient with us. I can't even imagine knowing someone's future before they do, and knowing the steps they need to take to get there, but watching them veer all the time. Yet God does this and He is always waiting for us to come back around, no matter how long it takes. In fact, when we see this word patience, we may only think of waiting in line or asking our kid over and over again to put her shoes on, but a better word for the translation is "Long-Suffering". Love is Long-Suffering.
A long-suffering love is one that sticks through hardships for indefinite times. Applying this concept of patience is not only for a significant other, but long-suffering love is meant to be a sort of love we direct towards everyone. Even those we find hard to love. It is patience with the coworker who drives you crazy. Not losing it towards the lady in the line in front of you who has screaming children and 60 items in the express lane. It's choosing not to say your piece on social media, and choosing battles more wisely. This is hard, y'all. But when we remember God's "long-suffering" for us, we can step back and say, "oh. I am a difficult person too."
Colossians 3:12-14 tells us:
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Notice this passage does not say "wait until the guilty party comes to you" or "be sure to say your piece before forgiving them". It simply says "bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone." Do your part and let it go. Love is patient. Show this attribute of love because it has been shown to you in even greater and more drastic ways by the One Who matters most.
If we were to take this concept, this piece, of love and apply it to our world today, could you imagine the difference it would make? We all have enemies right now. We all have opinions right now. We all are people who want love, who desire to be heard. But, imagine if you walked this world with utter and sincere long-suffering, bearing with one another, forgiving one another without waiting for someone to "make amends" with you first? What kind of witness would you be simply through these actions in such an explosive, loud world? Be patient with each other. Show that love still exists in God's definition, not the world's definition.
Scripture to Read:
Colossians 3:12-13, Galatians 5:22
Questions to Ponder:
How is "long-suffering" different than patience?
Who is someone you find it very hard to be long-suffering towards? How can you work on this?
Consider all the things God has been long-suffering towards in your life. How are what people annoy you with small in comparison to this?
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