How patient are you? Sometimes, it is easier to take charge than to take time. “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.” “Make something happen, don’t just watch it happen or wonder what happened.” The decision makers among us want something to happen, even if it is not the right thing.
Solomon inherited the kingdom from his father David, who was a warrior. Saul was a warrior before David. So Solomon was the first person of peace to rule as Israel’s King. His name revealed that his parents hoped he would lead Israel to peace. He had learned that patience often accomplished more than conflict.
Our culture is often enamored with the take charge leader. Somebody needs to do something. But patience is harder. We have to keep the ultimate goal in mind. Are we trying to grow weeds or Oaks of righteousness? It seems that we forgive the leader who loses self-control as long as he or she gets results. Some of our quick response is triggered by anxiety leading into anger. But patience and self-control both make the list of Paul’s fruit of the Spirit.
Sometimes people joke that we should not pray for patience and self-control, because the process might be painful. It is painful to become the people God wants us to be. But better God’s purpose with pain, than our own with the greater pain of being outside his will, running ahead of God. So go ahead and pray for patience and self-control today. You and all who know you and follow you will be glad you did.
