Thursday, November 8, 2012

Fruit of the Spirit - weeks 4 & 5 - PATIENCE & KINDNESS

"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law."
- Galatians 5: 22-23

What a crazy few weeks!  And how appropriate that we would find ourselves facing a Bible study about Patience during a hurricane and Kindness during the aftermath.

Hazel Offner directs us to Matthew 18: 21 - 35 to learn about Patience.  Overall, the passage seems to be about forgiveness.  But can one practice the kind of forgiveness that Jesus says we should, without patience?  In verse 22 Jesus replies to Peter's question of 'how often to forgive?', with "seventy times seven!"  That's a lot of forgiving and probably gave Peter and the Disciples pause, so Jesus explains his response with a parable. 

How does this parable of having patience and forgiving AND not having patience and not forgiving relate to our lives?  If God is represented by the king in this parable, who are we?  Are we the unforgiving servant?  In what ways? 
On a personal level, can you think of a specific time when you were like the king and when you were like the unforgiving servant? 

For me, this is a reminder of how patient God is with me and how impatient I am with my own children.  Knowing that God is so very patient with my forgetfulness, doubt, and stubbornness makes me stop and take a moment before I lose my patience my children.  If God can forgive me all those times, than surely I can forgive my own children the times that they display the same behaviors?!  And if my impatience and unforgiving prevail, I can expect that, like the king in the parable, God will decide to remove his patience and mercy from me.  How devastating that would be!  And then I realize that must be how my children feel when I remove my patience and forgiveness from them and am heartbroken.  Praise be that God is far more patient and forgiving!  And gives such a perfect example for my behavior!


An extraordinary example of Kindness is found in 2 Samuel 9!  If you are not familiar with the story of David, he's the young shepherd boy who killed Goliath, which made him a hero!  But the story of Saul's jealousy and David's friendship with Johathan, Saul's son, begins in 1 Samuel 18.  It is a great story and a quick read!  A further testament to David's kindness can be found in 1 Samuel 24:18-21.

Although we are not faced with exactly the same circumstances as David was: I can't remember the last time I had to worry about my predecessors' family rising up to overthrow my Queen-ship; showing kindness is still not something that is easily or often done during the ordinary day.  There is still jealousy, deceit, and selfishness - all things that prevent kindness.  An impatient customer is not kind to the sales clerk and others waiting in line; the impatient driver cuts off cars and flies down the highway; the frustrated parent yells at her children.  Why is it that being unkind comes so easy?

Yet, in times of difficulty, like the hurricane many of us suffered through and many are still recovering from, we see an outpouring of kindness for those in need.  Often, when kindness is extended to a person, that person extends kindness in return.  It is a lovely circle, if we can keep it going :)

How does it feel to receive kindness (Mephibosheth)?  How does it feel to be kind (David)?  What are some practical ways we can practice Kindness in our everyday lives?  How can we be an example of kindness to others?  How can we be intentional in teaching kindness to younger generations?

I pray that during these natural disasters (Sandy and the snow storm) that you are healthy and warm.  I pray that you have received and practiced Patience and Kindness, for it is these mercies that can make even the most difficult and trying times a little easier to bear.

Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly





No comments: