Friday, December 20, 2024
Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Our scripture today is about Zechariah, and Elizabeth. Both were righteous people. Zechariah was a priest and Elizabeth, in the lineage of Aaron, was a woman of unusual piety, faith and spiritual gifts. They were childless till they were very old and then were blessed with baby John (John the Baptist). They must have been patient people.

I want us to focus on the issue of patience from our reading today. Patience is endurance under trials without complaining. People possessing this virtue are free from cowardice or despondency. It is also translated “longsuffering” as an attitude with respect to people.

Impatience is the mark of our busy lives today. There is an old story of a man’s car stalling in middle of four-way stop intersection. The man immediately behind his car started constantly honking his horn. The driver got out and told the man behind, “If you will get my car started, I will honk your horn for you.” (That story obviously comes from the good old days when people only honked horns and did not shoot each other when they were the least bit inconvenienced.)

In talking about patience, one author wrote: “Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit. This fruit of the Spirit is hardly about getting what you want when you want it. It is about living without what you want, getting what you get, and holding onto God anyway. It is not about instantaneous results. It is about lasting commitments. It is about growing old in grace, allowing others to grow old before you and with you.”

In Colossians 3:12, we read “As God’s chosen people, clothe yourselves with compassion…and patience.” I do not know about you, but I have plenty of room to grow in this fruit of the Spirit. Let’s practice patience in one area today.

Richard Poindexter is married to Glenda and a retired chaplain.