Sermon for Sunday - February 9, 2014: Patience

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us..."  -- Romans 15:4

Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us.  Whether you accept the Bible as truth, or not, even as parables what is written there is worthy of thought for what it might teach each of us about love, forgiveness, understanding, selflessness, and faith.  Even for the atheist, these lessons have provided a framework from which modern society has been created.  You can take God out of the equation, but you still have the truth behind the lesson.  This is inescapable and must drive the devout atheist nuts.  Then again, there are people that create some phony rationale to excuse their not abiding by common law.  Wouldn't refusal to abide by laws define anarchy?

I don't press acceptance of the Bible.  There continues to be conflicting information that is being discovered, even by the faithful.  It does not demean the Bible, rather it helps us understand the teachings and the meaning, not to mention the people of the day.  A greater understanding can lead to a deeper faith, even if that understanding is contradictory.

Most people that know me will admit I am a man of little patience when it comes to the trivial.  As a teacher, supervisor, and manager, however, my patience was tested and rarely found wanting in large part due to what went on before.  When you have worn their shoes it is easier to be a bit more understanding and patient, unless you're an ass.

I have stated, many times before, that I am a sinner.  To ignore one's own sin is to lie to one's self; to treat one's self with a total lack of respect.  I like what I see in the mirror and, although I am constantly dodging the lightning bolts thrown in my direction by the Almighty, I do get the message.  

Paul writes of Christ's patience, shown to him, in his letter to Timothy:

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life."  -- 1 Timothy 1:15-16

Even though we may be sinners, Christ will ever be patient with us.  We must recognize our error, get back up when we stumble, and try again.  Hopefully, sooner or later, we will learn from our past mistakes.  This is why I constantly remind everyone, our personal path is not about the destination, it is about the journey.  For me, I hope to learn the "immense patience" of Christ one day.

Take this Sunday and contemplate your patience.  How do you measure up?  How will you try to do better?  Do you even care?

God bless us all this fine day, and give strength to all of the athletes competing at Sochi in the XXII Olympic Winter Games.