Waiting Patiently...

I am not very patient.  For those of you that know me, I know how that shocks you!  Yes, patience is one of the Fruit of Spirit that are to intoxicate me each day, yet, I apparently continue to quench the Spirit's power in this area of my life.

Nehemiah is one of my favorite people in Scripture (ok, I admit, I have a lot of favorite people in Scripture).  I want my life to be characterized by the essential qualities of leadership that Nehemiah so perfectly displayed.  One of these is patience.  It was four months after Nehemiah first wept, fasted and continually prayed over the ruin of Jerusalem.  Four Months!  You may or may not think 4 months was a long time, but he did nothing for 4 months other than weep, fast and pray. Was he planning?  Setting goals?  Developing vision?  Quite possibly, yet he took no outward action.  He didn't try and force something.  He didn't immediately go to his superiors and start petitioning.  He prayed and waited for God to provide the opportunity to make his move.

Many other passages speak of patience, but here are a few that I have found most profound.

A Patient man calms a quarrel. Pr 15:18

Be joyful in hope, Patient in affliction. Ro 12:12

I waited Patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. Ps 40:1

Anyone else lack patience?  Join with me in surrendering our timeline and agenda and wait patiently on the Lord. 

Patience in ministry.  Patience in relationship.  Patience in parenting.  Patience with equipment.  Patience with...

Rob