Because of erosion, the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
was in peril of washing into the Atlantic Ocean. So Congress appropriated $12
million for the National Park service to move it 2900 feet to safety. With a combination of care, expertise, patience and raw power, The Expert House Movers of Sharptown, Maryland moved the 208 foot tall, 9.7 million pound structure to its current home. The option of moving the lighthouse was first proposed in April of 1982, but the light wasn’t lit at its new location until November 13, 1999 – 17 years of study and 23 days of moving later. (From Fresh Illustrations)
Small things can be moved quickly, but big things take time.
Many people tend to overestimate what they can do in a day or a week
and underestimate what they can do in months or years!
Our addiction just didn’t happen. Contrary to popular belief, we didn’t become
an alcoholic with one drink; an addict with one hit; a sex addict with one
visit to the internet; a food addict with one cookie. Addictions develop over time and to the point
they control our thinking, our actions, and our lives. Yet, when we go through the hell of detox and
start the hard journey of recovery, we expect immediate and permanent change.
Many people tend to overestimate what they can do in a day or a week
and underestimate what they can do in months or years!
We carry that same mindset into our relationships. The family problems didn’t just suddenly
appear. Broken relationships didn’t happen
in a vacuum. Our marriages didn’t fall
apart in a day, week, or a month.
Yet, when reach the point in our journey we realize we must
make amends with those we have hurt, used, manipulated, or attempted to
control, we want an instant fix; instant forgiveness; instant restoration of
trust; instant “the way it used to be” relationships!
Many people tend to overestimate what they can do in a day or a week
and underestimate what they can do in months or years!
Holist recovery – change – takes time and
patience. Jesus states we are to love others as ourselves and
when we have been wounded or have wounded others, we have to realize it will
require time and patience for agape, philos, and eros to be a reality in our
lives and theirs.
1 Corinthians 13.4 reads: “Love is patient and kind.”
Patience. A
characteristic of love that we all want and we want it NOW!!
Let’s approach this challenge of fulfilling this mandate of
Scripture in a very pragmatic way.
First, recall our memory verse, “Let love be your highest goal” (I
Corinthians 14.1). It is such an
important goal to remember when we are striving to love with patience.
Second, it is crucial to remember Dean’s definition of love: putting the needs of others before your own.
And third, jot down a time you needed patience or what
you are facing now in your life that requires patience. There is no
need to share with anyone; just write it down or etch it in your mind.
Ok. We’re set. Let’s look at what the Bible teaches us about
patience. As we explore the Scriptures,
I want you to apply the biblical principles presented to YOUR situation.
Romans 5.3-5. There's more to come: We continue to shout
our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop
passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the
tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In
alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the
contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously
pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! (The Message, emphasis mine)
If it is your heart’s desire to develop “passionate
patience,” you must cooperate with God.
God provides the opportunity; you provide the
response.
God allows the opportunities for the
development of patience because He wants to grow you from having a
self-centered love to loving like Christ.
Rick Warren writes in his book on relationships that there
are three biblical steps to take to help you respond with patience.
1. Discover a bigger
perspective. (Proverbs 19.11
NIV) A person’s wisdom yields patience;
it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
2.
Deepen your love.
Love is a patience builder.
When you’re filled with love, almost nothing
will irritate you. When you’re filled
with anger, bitterness, or unforgiveness, almost anything will irritate
you. Illustration: a full cup of coffee; a little “jiggle” will
make the contents spill over the edge.
Solution: put a lid on it!
What makes our “cups jiggle?”
The battle of rights vs. responsibilities
rages on in our culture. Neil Anderson
states that throughout history when a culture placed more emphasis on an
individual’s rights than their responsibilities, it signaled the end of that
culture. In today’s world, there is an
ever increasing emphasis placed on an “individual rights” with total disregard
of individual responsibility! That
mindset has permeated marriages and has become a major “cup jiggler.” Time and time again I have heard men and
women shout, “I have a right!” While it is true that men and women do have
rights in a marriage, they have responsibilities too. It is my firm opinion that if either is not
fulfilling their responsibilities in the marriage, they have NO rights! (For a list of responsibilities, check out Ephesians
5.21-31.)
3. Depend
on Jesus’ power. (Colossians 1.11 NLT) We also pray that you will be
strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and
patience you need. May you be filled with joy…
This
means the total surrender of your pride, ego, and agenda to Christ.
Love is patient and kind.
Patience is your attitude.
Kindness is your actions.
Perhaps all of us need an “attitude adjustment”!!
Here are some questions for you:
We compared our lives to a full cup of
coffee. If a full cup is “jiggled,”
coffee spills out. What spills out of
your life when you are “jiggled”? What
steps will you take to “put a lid on it”?
Are you filled with patience or impatience? What do your reactions to difficult people or
situations reveal about the content of your character cup?
What can you do to make sure you are filled with
the “right stuff”?
What is one thing you will do differently this
week and who will you ask to hold you accountable? 
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