Christian Living
Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday May 22, 2008
The other day I mused yet again on one of the listed qualifications/goals of a pastor, usually included in a list of any sort of leader in the Christian Faith. The quality I refer to is "Patience." Patience and perseverance are often used interchangeably, yet they are separate qualities of the inner person.
The 6th President of the United States, John Quincy Adams said,
"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."
President Adams understood the value of each word and the part they play in leading an above average life. The ordinary person looks at obstacles or opposition as a reason to complain or give in or up. The person who is living the life extraordinaire understands the power of each word and acts accordingly.
Patience is a very broad word in English and even broader in Biblical language. Webster has patience taking up two pages in the Unabridged Internet edition: In part Webster has it, "The capacity or habit of enduring evil, adversity, or pain with fortitude." Also, "toleration or magnanimity for the faults or affronts of others: courageous endurance." Every leader knows the importance of "putting up with people." One friend said he could endure the lion's den for Jesus, but, "Larry, the people drive me nuts!" Here is one definition that I really need work on: "Calm self-possession in confronting obstacles or delays." If you are a leader, you are now, this minute, doing a check up from the neck up in the area of patience.
Perseverance is a little different in that it represents progress while enduring. "Persistence in the pursuit of objectives." We lesser humans call this character trait, "To keep on trucking."
Jesus Christ, Paul, Job, among others, each taught and practiced the principle of calm inner assurance while enduring unspeakable opposition while never losing sight of the objective.
Jesus Christ said to his disciples:
"In your patience possess ye your souls." Luke 21:19
This use of patience involves both meanings and teaches all who follow Him to get over the inner storm, accept this particular whatever as a personal growth opportunity from the Lord, and keep your eye on the prize, refusing to focus on your inner pain. Many of the suffering saints in the Old and New Testaments "endured, as seeing Him who is invisible." Too many of us get the idea that the things that come into our life are the "why" of our existence. The "why" is the pursuit of the prize. Keeping the soul, the inner person under calm control is extremely important as this calmness keeps your mind clear thus enabling you to see clearly and make sensible decisions.
Even Godfather Don Vito Corleone claimed to be a patient man.
Larry Lilly Copyright © 2008 Use with credit.
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