I’ve been incredibly fortunate to grow up with a dad who strived to love his kids through the example of How Christ has loved us. I honestly can not remember a time being scared he would be angry over something I did or didn’t do. Always wanting the best for his children he sought after us with patience, teaching us how to obey the word of the Lord, making our relationship with Christ a priority above other things. I know earthly patience through the patience you have shown me, dad.
A few weeks ago for afternoon ministry, I had signed up to work on construction. Last month we were working on building the foundation for what will one day be a high school and soccer field. It was HOT, tedious and sometimes slow paced work of mixing concrete, digging ditches and sorting rocks and sand. I noticed the other day the patience of the Filipino men working along side us. They let us take the lead in some projects, but not through a form of laziness, instead giving us an opportunity to push ourselves in the work we were doing. This particular week the kids in the area had the week off of school. A few of the local kids made their way over to the construction site and gave their best effort at helping us. I’m pretty sure they are better at mixing concrete than I ever will be.
The Filipino men working with us helped teach us, both Americans and Filipino kids how to best approach the work we were doing. I never once saw them get angry with anything the kids did, they never rolled their eyes when we as Americans did something wrong and never hesitated to help us. It was indeed patience you could only give when knowing where true patience comes from.
You may not know, but I’ve known about the World Race since I was first an Intern at Mission of Hope in 2013. I didn’t honestly give it a second thought until I was back in Haiti in 2015 and I saw a bus of World Racers pull up. I quickly brushed the idea away for the next two years until again, back in Haiti I met a group of people on an Adventures in Missions trip. It still took ten months from that point to even apply for the World Race.
The Lord has shown his patience to me so much. From getting to the point where I could surrender enough to say, Yes Lord, I believe you have called me to the World Race, and I’ll say yes, whatever that looks like.
God seeks after us with an unmistakable amount of patience. In 2 Peter 3:8-9 it says “Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the end because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.” (MSG) This scripture shows me a piece of the heart of the father. He isn’t being slow to fulfill his promise to us. He is patiently fighting for us that no one would perish.
Lord, let my patience with others and myself resemble the patience you have already poured upon me.
Scripture of the day:
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:9-13 (NLT)
Song of the day: Yes I Will
