The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise. . . . He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Pet. 3:9)
IF YOU ASK ME if I was a stubborn child growing up, I may plead the Fifth. However, if you ask my parents the same question, they would probably give countless examples of my stubbornness. In fact, they may even give examples of my stubbornness as an adult as well. I’m sure that my behavior has been exhausting and frustrating for my parents to deal with. When I look back at who I was as a child, I am thankful for the changes God has made (and is continuing to make) in my life.
The frustration I caused my earthly parents regarding my stubbornness makes me wonder about the amount of frustration I have caused the Lord. Though it is probably different in nature, I can almost picture times when He throws His hands in the air and yells, “Argh!”
This is when I revel in the fact that the Lord is patient with me. As I remember the amount of patience my parents had with me, His patience is infinitely greater and is shown toward everyone. He loves each of us so much that He waits patiently for us in our journey toward Him in repentance.
His is the greatest example of love, patience, and forgiveness imaginable, which challenges us to look at how we show such love, patience, and forgiveness toward others despite their stubbornness.
Ask God today how you can show love toward people in your life.
Traver Paul Butcher, a PhD candidate in international psychology and missions coach, has a passion for helping individuals encounter God in international and cross-cultural experiences.
