the GIFT GIVER
John 1:14, ‘The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish.’ (MSG)
November 23rd, 2023
He is the ULTIMATE Gift Giver!
Galatians 5:22-23:
Divine Love in all its varied expressions: Joy that overflows; Peace that subdues; Patience that endures; Kindness in action; a life full of Virtue; Faith that prevails; Gentleness of heart; Strength of spirit. (TPT)
“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance, about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.’ (MSG)
PATIENCE that ENDURES
Let’s check in again with Webster and check out the meaning behind today’s gift. Patience is the quality of being patient. It is the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, pain—without complaint or loss of temper or irritation. Webster also says that patience is an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay. It means having grit and persistence, a backbone, tolerance, even resignation. It’s like getting caught in traffic and not using outside voices (or words). Maybe it is being gracious while standing in line at the post office during the holidays or when your mobile order at Starbucks gets lost. It could be like smiling instead when you feel like someone’s actions deserve sarcasm, or offering a blessing when a curse is more fitting. When your spouse or parent asks something time-consuming of you, you sigh inside and get busy without complaint.
I love even more what Patience means to God. Words like endurance, longsuffering, forbearance and perseverance come to mind; self-control, submission, constancy. It means waiting, the kind of waiting God does for us to come home to Him in our hearts.
Think about the patience of Almighty God. Since the moment sin entered the world, through the deceit of a sneaky snake named Satan, and the disobedience of the first woman together with her man, God has been being patient with us. He patiently has seen us through every instance Satan uses to harm us and He turns it for our good, time after time. He loves us so much—His love so patient toward us as He waited for us to turn from wickedness and choose Him—He even sent His Son to endure the cross. The patient grace of His forbearance to redeem mankind amid all our brokenness is irrefutable.
In fact, the longsuffering of God the Father toward His children stirs up such humbleness in me that I didn’t feel like I could face Him. I had been just that messy. I didn’t think I should—or could—lift my eyes to gaze upon His holiness, His righteousness. But what did He do? He tipped my chin and pointed to His face, urging me to look Him in the eyes. I found nothing but love and forgiveness and patience staring back at me. He gave me five decades to get it together, so my yes would mean yes, and my no would be no. And even still—when I stumble and stagger beneath weight He never intended for me to carry, when I trip over potholes in this life and get stuck—even still, He is patient and enduring and so very kind in His tenacity toward me.
I am often unable or unwilling to offer the same in return. My patience sounds like an unending scream. My patience looks like a rubberband that has been so stretched out, it has lost all its elasticity. My patience feels like an insolent child I am tugging, kicking and screaming all the way, behind me. Because of God’s generous patience displayed toward me every single time I try it, one would think I might be gracious to offer it to others whom I encounter. But usually, a sigh has escaped my lips, my hands are planted on my hips and a puff of breath has disturbed my bangs, before any individual chances to even say, ‘Please’. This holiday season, could you picture what our circle of concern might be like if we all chose to take (no more than a moment) to unhurriedly stop, listen and respond, with just a smidge of the patience with which God has gifted to us?
Furthermore, would I, would you, be as patient with the process as we are persistent? Could we remember that God’s timing is impeccable? That if we show up too soon to a purpose He has designed specifically with you in mind, with me in mind, but the timing is off and we attempt to force-feed ourselves into what we haven’t yet grown into, then it will fail or not come to fruition. We may not be ready just yet for what we have requested or for what He has promised—be patient with yourself in the process and with His timing.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
She was filled with trepidation as she clung to the metal handbar equipped for gripping on the LightRail she had boarded for her journey crossing years and the city. Dread filled every nerve in her limbs, threatening to clog the blood and oxygen flowing through her veins. How many years had it been? she pulled out the mental scorecard where she kept record of all the wrongs. At least six or seven, maybe eight, since she had last said the word ‘Dad’ or been touched by her mom, since she’d last seen either of them, since that fateful night. The scars hung like a bracelet on her wrist; the ones that could be seen, that is. She’d sworn her parents would never lay eyes on her again; she would never let them see her hurt or need them again. Never again would they be who she hoped would show up at the end of a binge, and never again, would she allow anyone close enough to let her down.
But Jesus had changed all of that. He’d shown up for her when no one else would. He rescued her out of a pit and put her in a safe place with a new desire in her heart, a desire that didn’t hurt herself or others, but rather, helped instead. He had changed her life after He saved her, and it was because of Him, she was making the trek across town. It was because of Him, she was willing to knock on her parents’ door in humility and ask forgiveness from them. She had heard her father was doing poorly, and Jesus was the One Who impressed on her to let go of the past so her dad could be free to die peacefully knowing reconciliation had come to his house. It had taken months to tear down some walls and stride forward toward her old part of town, but Jesus had been so patient with her with His small nudges as He worked on her heart. She dreaded this but she knew it was the right thing to do. She glowered at the watch on her wrist and wondered what was taking so long, and then laughed at her own impatience, wondering if anticipation was a positive or negative emotion.
She was the last person to step off the rail, begging her feet to trudge with her. She had been so high, so messed up, that final night of warring with her parents about their beliefs and her demands. A small burst of hope landed in her chest, beating like a drum. The notion was freeing: little had she known then, that was the last time she’d ever fight with her dad and mom. Whatever happened today, she would never allow herself—or them—to go back to such a place of bitterness and impatience, anguish and despise. No matter what came of today, it would be a new day and new beginnings and the ending of previous chapters.
Her hand trembled as she raised it to knock on the solid door that for years had stood between her and her parents. A mixture of excitement and apprehension taunted her reserve, but again, she felt the kindness of Jesus’ patience and presence overflow. Slowly, she rapped on the wood, listening for an excuse to leave. Just then, the door flung open, and before a word could fall from her lips, she felt the frail arms of her father envelop her as he weakly hollered over his shoulder, ‘Come, dear, hurry! It’s our daughter! Once she was lost, but now she is found! She is not dead; she is alive! Come inside! You’re home! I have been waiting for this forever!’
And that is exactly what our Heavenly Father does when we come home to Him.
Our Heavenly Father, the Creator of the Universe, Holy God, the Spirit of the Living God, Perfect One, is the ultimate gift giver. Just like we as parents are eager to give gifts to our children, our Father desires to give gifts that are beneficial and good and profitable for us. He delights in giving gifts, like patience, to His children for our good, and ultimately, for His glory.
James 1:16-18, ‘So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life, using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all His creatures.’ (MSG)
