Avocado Impatience
I received the photo above from my daughter this week. What happened to the avocado? Our granddaughter. She likes avocado. Her impatience impelled her to take a bite of skin and flesh while her parents’ backs were turned. Fortunately they noticed in time and no damage was done — except to the avocado.
Do I struggle with impatience? Only every day. God’s people had the same problem.
“From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.”” (Numbers 21:4–5 NRSV)
What’s the big deal about impatience? It negates faith. It obscures God. It erodes love.
We are called to be patient.
“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12 NRSV)
What clothes you with patience?
I am in a season of impatience-temptation. So much to do between now and Christmas. My monthly sabbath day yesterday helped me re-clothe myself. I was reminded of two vital truths:
- God loves me irrespective of my productivity
- Exhaustion is not a sign of spirituality
Yes, we make sacrifices for Christ’s sake, but pouring yourself out is not the same as wearing yourself out. What do you need to do in your connection with God to be impatience-resilient?
God bless, Malcolm
