God grant me patience.. but hurry!

This post is all about being patient, and while I'm typing this I'm thinking about all of the people that don't have the time to read an entire blog. I don't say that because I'm trying to guilt you into reading it either (unless it works), but because patience is a lost thought in a world of instant everything.

So I'd like to start by pointing out that this is something I am constantly working on improving. I spent the summer of 2013 as a camp counselor for anywhere from fourth graders to recent high school graduates, and if there's one thing that God taught me over and over and over again is that I need to work on my patience. When it comes down to it, I'm the equivalent of a four year old waiting in line for candy (or pretty much anything actually). It comes down to some weird American thought process of "I want it, and I want it now" which baffles me, but at the same time I catch myself in that exact mindset fairly frequently.

Ephesians 4:1-3 "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

In the words of my pastor we live in a world of "fast". We have fast food, fast internet, instant movies, instant messaging, and the list goes on for quite some time. We live in an age where there is no time to linger around doing nothing, there's always something that can be done and there's always some way to do it faster. To the point where it's frustrating if it doesn't meet my standard of speed. We even consolidate our conversations in order to save time, it's not very often that when someone says "How are you?" they expect anything other than a "I'm good" and if they get anything more it's not what they want to hear. However, the value of patience is something that is hard to realize until you take the time to experience it yourself. (See what I did there?)

There's a phrase that goes something like "It's not about the destination, but the journey." Sometimes we are too wrapped up in getting to where we're going we don't take the time to enjoy the little things that go on all around us. So I'm challenging myself and everyone to pray for patience, because God will give you an opportunity to grow and become steadfast. Take the time to truly listen to others, stay calm when McDonald's messes up your order, and be patient when your waiting an hour for someone to get ready when you should have left fifteen minutes ago. We are called to love others and patience stems directly from love. Take some time this week to take a step back and truly be patient and see God work.

James 1:19-20 "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."