Fruit of the Spirit

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22, 23

We've been studying the Fruit of the Spirit in our Sunday morning Bible class. Each week we're focusing on a different fruit. It has been an interesting study for me.

Today we studied patience. We talked about all the times we get impatient....waiting, driving, raising children, dealing with coworkers. Someone brought up how this generation is so fast paced, and everyone wants things right now. We aren't accustomed to waiting because we don't have to wait for so many things in life. We have cell phones, IM, DSL, microwaves, and a host of other conveniences in our lives. How many couples do you know that choose to wait 9 months to find out the sex of their child? We live in a world of instant gratification in which we are always going, always doing, always on the move. It makes me wonder if we are missing out on more important things in our own lives because we just hurry along through life, lose our patience when things don't happen on our time table, and never stop to appreciate the now? Do we teach patience to our children? Do we ever slow down, really slow down, and notice things about our world? We all know the saying "Stop and smell the roses." This isn't a bad idea. We all want others to be patient with us, but how patient are we with them?

Another thing to think about is God's patience with us as His children. We mess up daily, multiple times everyday. Yet does God ever turn us away or lose His patience with us? He forgives us every time. Are we the same way dealing with others? As the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21--35) teaches, we are to forgive as Christ forgave us. Do you see the relationship between patience and forgiveness? He forgives us because He is patient with us as we grow to become more like Him.
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"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9