Trials.
God is incredibly patient.
I consider the patience my parents had with me. I look at the patience I evidently need to have with my children. That is great patience. It is understandable because the parents as adults should have better quality character than the burgeoning developing talents of the impulsive children
I consider, however, the patience God has with me even as an apparent adult with children of my own. Today I was delivering a training session. The thing about training is that it invites humanity in a range of its complexions and diverse characteristics. Some of the diversity and complexity at times within the same learner!
One thing I was eager to do was NOT teach or train children. Yet at times I realise the syndrome is not just kept with children. Some adults exhibit such maturity and wisdom and can then turn around and behave just like …
In any case, in the test and trial of today, God showed me what incredible patience He has with me. I am sure I have many times behaved in an exasperating manner. Reading some of the encounters Jesus has with His disciples I note how He from time to time would state as though he was exasperated “Have I not been with you for so long and you still don’t get this? Come on. Come on!!”
It’s easy to allow the exasperation turn to resentment and an unwillingness to be supportive. I know at times that’s exactly how I felt before. I am grateful for the trials, though, because it’s at those times that God softens my heart and encourages me to retain the commitment to offering quality training.
As He does so it is certainly not for the benefit of receiving plaudits from the learners. It is to receive plaudits from the Father for being obedient. That, I am learning, is a far greater reward – one that’s not about there and then, but a here and now reality we experience in relationship with Him.
For that I am hugely grateful.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 