>about what doctors have lots of*

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the fruit of the Supermarket is apples, bananas, pears, lemons, melons…

Today I am preparing a sermon for Sunday morning. It’s part of a series we are on at present looking at the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Sunday morning’s theme is ‘patience’. I am aware that this is at present one of the less well-developed fruits in my life.

I find myself feeling impatient when driving behind someone who is going slower than is necessary (below the speed limit). I found myself feeling impatient on Saturday when I was looking for something I could not find. I find myself impatient when my internet connection is running slow. When I have ordered something that is being delivered I am impatient when waiting for its arrival.

But I am not convinced that this entirely the patience that God’s Spirit is growing within me. It’s a manifestation of it, certainly, but there’s more to in than that. If you are planning to be at our church on Sunday morning and intend to listen to the sermon you may like to stop now as some of what I share may end up in the sermon. Unless of course you can’t wait!!

When Miles Coverdale translated the Bible into English in 1535 he had to invent a word to try to translate the Greek word that we usually translate as ‘patience’. The word he invented is ‘longsuffering’. It’s the opposite of ‘short-tempered’. It’s a spiritual experience that has its roots in descriptions of God as ‘slow to anger’. It is part of his character that is being brought to fruition in us. But it manifests itself in how we respond to those around us.

God’s patience means that when we see things from his perspective we realise that most things can wait for the proper time. It means that we can stick things out because God is with us. It means we have the courage to keep going when times are tough. It means we see others as God sees them – so how can we be angry about that?

How do we get that sort of patience? By asking God for it, by allowing him to change us and by seeing people and circumstances as he sees them.

“Yes please, Lord… (in your time)”

A husband and wife are on holiday at the seaside. They have been having a meal and when it finishes they realise it is pouring with rain outside. The husband gallantly goes off to get the car so his wife will not get too wet.

She waits for the five minutes it should have taken for him to come back. Nothing.

She waits for ten more minutes. Nothing.

She waits for fifteen more minutes, getting a bit anxious. Finally he turns up at the door, soaking wet.

“The car won’t start,” he said.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“The carburettor is flooded with water,” he says.

“Are you sure?” she asks. “I know it’s raining heavily but that sounds a bit drastic!”

“There is definitely water in the carburettor,” insists the husband.

“Well I want to have a look,” says the wife. “Where’s the car?”

“Erm,” says the husband sheepishly, “I accidentally reversed it into the sea.”

*come on – patients!