Of all the fruit of The Spirit, this may be the most difficult and perplexing. We in the 21st Century church have very little to do with it. Because of the cultural changes over the past hundred years or so, we have come to expect things to happen quickly. We expect people to respond quickly. When they dont, we get irritable and unstable.
So it was a little surprising to me a few weeks ago, that one of my students would bring it up as something she was struggling with. I wasnt surprised that she might struggle with it. The surprise was that she would even think about it.
What is longsuffering? It's very similar to patience, only with a bit of discomfort involved. It is most applicable to situations we'd like to get out of. At this moment, Beth and I are suffering through a time of trial with her knee surgery. I cant speak from her perspective, but from mine, it's a time of anxiety and anticipation. Anxiety, because I hate when she hurts and wish I could help. Anticipation, because I know that she'll be much better when it's over.
When dealing with people, we may have a particularly slow student, or contrary co-worker, whom we would prefer not to deal with. We may or may not see progress, but we are responsible to deal with the situation in a Christlike way. I imagine Jesus, when James and John said,"Let's call down fire from heaven and grill these dudes!" Longsuffering wasnt on their agenda.
Jesus, on the other hand, exhibited it toward the disciples for three years. He put up with their lack of faith, their shallowness of character, their inability to comprehend his teachings. How difficult must it have been for Him to dispute with the scribes and Pharisees? He knew they were wrong and could easily have taken them completely out of the picture. If He had, though, where would we be?
Longsuffering is to stay under the pressure, knowing that it will not crush us. We bear up, because we know that God's outcome will be better than anything we could do on our own. Sometimes it's for the good of another, but we must bear up for their sake.
11.17.2009
11.16.2009
Clarification
To all of you pet people, I apologize if my previous post seemed a little heartless. I am not a pet person. Never have been. It eludes me why people want to bring animals into their homes. It isnt that I dont like animals. They're fine, in their place, which I find to be outdoors among the other animals living as they were created. Excluded from this are farm animals such as cattle, horses, etc. These are not pets. They're partners, after a fashion- tools, if you must. Either way, I just cant get my emotions all worked up over a dog or a cat. (As a kid, I did get a little choked up when they shot Old Yeller.)
About the best I can do is set up an aquarium and get disappointed when my favorite fish goes belly up. It isnt an emotional thing, though. I like to look at fish. I also like to look at horses, elk, deer, various birds, and the like. It happens, though, that fish are easy to care for and dont require much monetary investment. For a little bit of nothing, I can get a good sized tank off Craigslist and stock it with a nice blend of little fresh water tropicals. I dont have to walk them. They dont need to go outside to do their business. Fish food is cheap. When my favorite one dies, I flush it and get a new one, a little sad that I wont get to enjoy that one anymore.
I was a vegetarian in my teens. It had to do with how inhumane it seemed to raise an animal with no other purpose than to kill and eat it. I imagined someone pressing my leg down into a sausage grinder, just to make a pizza. I dont want to get into that discussion, other than to say that God made very clear in His word that it's okay to eat meat. What kinds of meat remain up to your personal preference or interpretation of the Bible. I dont personally think it's a moral issue whether I include or exclude certain things from my diet. I will say, however, that I cant think of anything that I wouldnt try at least once. This is reflective of my liberty in Christ.
What? Let me rephrase: Because of Christ's sacrifice, I am now free to eat anything- snails to sea urchins, caviar to calves brains- without condemnation. What I am not free to do is condemn others who cant exercise this freedom. I dont believe there's any New Testament reason to abstain from this or that, but my brother may believe differently. If my liberty will impede my ability to minister, then I must sacrifice it. What matters most isnt my freedom, but my brother's. God is very clear- I must confine my own liberty in order to help others grow in Christ.
About the best I can do is set up an aquarium and get disappointed when my favorite fish goes belly up. It isnt an emotional thing, though. I like to look at fish. I also like to look at horses, elk, deer, various birds, and the like. It happens, though, that fish are easy to care for and dont require much monetary investment. For a little bit of nothing, I can get a good sized tank off Craigslist and stock it with a nice blend of little fresh water tropicals. I dont have to walk them. They dont need to go outside to do their business. Fish food is cheap. When my favorite one dies, I flush it and get a new one, a little sad that I wont get to enjoy that one anymore.
I was a vegetarian in my teens. It had to do with how inhumane it seemed to raise an animal with no other purpose than to kill and eat it. I imagined someone pressing my leg down into a sausage grinder, just to make a pizza. I dont want to get into that discussion, other than to say that God made very clear in His word that it's okay to eat meat. What kinds of meat remain up to your personal preference or interpretation of the Bible. I dont personally think it's a moral issue whether I include or exclude certain things from my diet. I will say, however, that I cant think of anything that I wouldnt try at least once. This is reflective of my liberty in Christ.
What? Let me rephrase: Because of Christ's sacrifice, I am now free to eat anything- snails to sea urchins, caviar to calves brains- without condemnation. What I am not free to do is condemn others who cant exercise this freedom. I dont believe there's any New Testament reason to abstain from this or that, but my brother may believe differently. If my liberty will impede my ability to minister, then I must sacrifice it. What matters most isnt my freedom, but my brother's. God is very clear- I must confine my own liberty in order to help others grow in Christ.
Jax the Dog and Divine Providence
First off, Beth is fine. She's home and able to get around a bit with her new walker. Thanks to you all for prayers and inquiries.
Now, about Jax- He's a little some kind of hairy terrier. He's hyperactive, mischievous, unruly and I just dont like him. Although he isnt mine, he lives in my house. Since he belongs to my daughter and her three, I'm sort of attached to him, as one might be to a large mole or tumor. Sadly, he thinks I'm his friend. In his world, I am the alpha dog.
This weekend, we received a generous outpouring of snow. Overall, probably 8-10 inches fell. Yesterday, I looked all over for the snow shovel, but couldnt find it anywhere. In the meantime, Jax was feeling rebellious. I tried twice to make him go out, but he was having none of it. While I was on the phone with Beth, just before I planned to walk out the door, he ran out into the snow and across the patio to the far end. I called and whistled. Offered treats, but it was no good. Finally, I went to the other door in hopes that he would either come in there, or run to the first one. Neither. He ran to the middle and stood in the chest deep snow, wagging his tail as though I might want to play. Stepping out onto the deck after him, I felt something under the snow. You'll never guess what it was...I'll bet you already have...yup...It was the missing snow shovel.
Once again, it could have been a coincidence, but I'm accustomed to them by now. Who am I to argue or question if God chooses to use a skinny little dog to do His work? I still dont like the dog, but I was grateful for him yesterday.
Now, about Jax- He's a little some kind of hairy terrier. He's hyperactive, mischievous, unruly and I just dont like him. Although he isnt mine, he lives in my house. Since he belongs to my daughter and her three, I'm sort of attached to him, as one might be to a large mole or tumor. Sadly, he thinks I'm his friend. In his world, I am the alpha dog.
This weekend, we received a generous outpouring of snow. Overall, probably 8-10 inches fell. Yesterday, I looked all over for the snow shovel, but couldnt find it anywhere. In the meantime, Jax was feeling rebellious. I tried twice to make him go out, but he was having none of it. While I was on the phone with Beth, just before I planned to walk out the door, he ran out into the snow and across the patio to the far end. I called and whistled. Offered treats, but it was no good. Finally, I went to the other door in hopes that he would either come in there, or run to the first one. Neither. He ran to the middle and stood in the chest deep snow, wagging his tail as though I might want to play. Stepping out onto the deck after him, I felt something under the snow. You'll never guess what it was...I'll bet you already have...yup...It was the missing snow shovel.
Once again, it could have been a coincidence, but I'm accustomed to them by now. Who am I to argue or question if God chooses to use a skinny little dog to do His work? I still dont like the dog, but I was grateful for him yesterday.
11.12.2009
Peace
At this moment, my wife is in a local hospital recovering from yesterday's knee replacement surgery. When I walked in this morning, she was crying. A catch basin was under her chin and she was throwing up. Her eyes looked up at me with an expression I'd seen a thousand times on our children's faces - "Please, help me." I was helpless.
She'd been up all night. The pain medication attached to her I.V. was the culprit. Whenever she pressed that button for pain relief, her stomach would empty a few minutes later. She was in pain, because she didnt want to use that button. When the pain became unbearable, she would give in and press it, beginning the cycle again. This morning the staff is working to stop both. They brought her some oral pain meds and injected a nausea reliever into her I.V.
The pain is under control and she hasnt thrown up again today. Her Father loves her and took care of it for her. Praise Him.
This is a source of peace that the world cannot give. When things in life are beyond my control, I know that I can go to my heavenly Father. He cares about us and is concerned with every little thing.
When we prayed for my wife's immediate help, did we surprise God? If he was aware of the situation, why didnt He do something without our asking? In fact, why didnt he just fix her knee before it needed replacement? Maybe He doesnt love her so much after all?
These questions are not so difficult to answer, but I wont go into them now. All I want to focus on is that He does listen and move. In this one instance, I might be able to attribute chance or coincidence. After more than thirty years in Christ, and countless situations like this, I'm convinced that God is constantly involved in my life. I can find no greater peace than that knowledge.
She'd been up all night. The pain medication attached to her I.V. was the culprit. Whenever she pressed that button for pain relief, her stomach would empty a few minutes later. She was in pain, because she didnt want to use that button. When the pain became unbearable, she would give in and press it, beginning the cycle again. This morning the staff is working to stop both. They brought her some oral pain meds and injected a nausea reliever into her I.V.
There are few moments in my life when I've felt so weak.
During a break between fits and visits, we prayed. "Dear Father, here is your little girl, and she is hurting. We cant fix this situation, but we know that you can, and that you love her. Please, Father, help."
The pain is under control and she hasnt thrown up again today. Her Father loves her and took care of it for her. Praise Him.
This is a source of peace that the world cannot give. When things in life are beyond my control, I know that I can go to my heavenly Father. He cares about us and is concerned with every little thing.
When we prayed for my wife's immediate help, did we surprise God? If he was aware of the situation, why didnt He do something without our asking? In fact, why didnt he just fix her knee before it needed replacement? Maybe He doesnt love her so much after all?
These questions are not so difficult to answer, but I wont go into them now. All I want to focus on is that He does listen and move. In this one instance, I might be able to attribute chance or coincidence. After more than thirty years in Christ, and countless situations like this, I'm convinced that God is constantly involved in my life. I can find no greater peace than that knowledge.
11.05.2009
Release
Requirement without compliance...
It's stereotypical, yet common. We see it on TV all the time when dealing with Christian characters. They're dogmatic, bigotted, loud...and almost always hypocritical. They lie, murder, rape, steal.
Sadly, there is a tiny bit of truth in that characterisation. Some people who do these things call themselves Christians. That doesnt mean they really are, but media doesnt like to split hairs on such matters.
Others who lie, cheat, deride, etc. are believers who have somehow fallen into the trap of measuring spirituality by works. Either way, it's a poor reflection on the person of Christ.
Worse, is that people want to believe it. People can spot the imposter. They know if we're walking in our own power. That isnt to say they wont follow. Some will because they want to believe there's a different way. When they fail, others will point to them and say,"See! There's no power in that Christianity stuff!"
So, I must set the example for those around me. My life has to show them that there is power. That isnt to say I'm trying to live better, or be more thoughtful, or pray more. The goal is to let go of control and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
How does that happen.......?
It's stereotypical, yet common. We see it on TV all the time when dealing with Christian characters. They're dogmatic, bigotted, loud...and almost always hypocritical. They lie, murder, rape, steal.
Sadly, there is a tiny bit of truth in that characterisation. Some people who do these things call themselves Christians. That doesnt mean they really are, but media doesnt like to split hairs on such matters.
Others who lie, cheat, deride, etc. are believers who have somehow fallen into the trap of measuring spirituality by works. Either way, it's a poor reflection on the person of Christ.
Worse, is that people want to believe it. People can spot the imposter. They know if we're walking in our own power. That isnt to say they wont follow. Some will because they want to believe there's a different way. When they fail, others will point to them and say,"See! There's no power in that Christianity stuff!"
So, I must set the example for those around me. My life has to show them that there is power. That isnt to say I'm trying to live better, or be more thoughtful, or pray more. The goal is to let go of control and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
How does that happen.......?
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