21 Gifts of AdventSample

The Gift of Patience

Who hasn’t waited for something … and then when you received the “thing," it was anti-climactic? Have you ever suffered through any disappointment or prayed for patience? Have you ever considered that Heaven is waiting patiently, too?

Consider the normal development of human life. It takes nine months gestation to grow a baby to sustainability outside the womb. Consider the wonderful development of the human body, the brain, the blood cells, nerves, tissues, and all the connecting interweaving fluids, sinews, and bones. 

God designs our innermost physical parts so mysteriously. But I would like to suggest there’s another kind of growth happening on the inside that develops our character. It’s a supernatural growth which occurs in our spirits. When you think about it, God made us in His holy image and grows us in our spirit by weaving His likeness inside. But we are left with a God-hole that only He can fill. 

Heaven is patiently waiting for you. I’m not only talking about the greeters at the pearly gates. Heaven in all of its glory is waiting for the children of God to mature into the likeness of God. Not so we can take His place on earth, but to reflect His love, light, and truth to all who need to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 

Heaven is patiently waiting for you to mature! And although no one is perfect in this, believers often fail to understand this truth. Salvation isn’t the end of our growing into His likeness. Rather, it’s the beginning of our new life in Christ as the Holy Spirit weaves God’s likeness into our spirit day by day. No one ever said it would happen quickly or come easily. On the contrary, Jesus warned us there would be troubles, but He promises peace in the overcoming (John 16:33). 

Advent reflection: Have the patience that Heaven displays. The people in Bible times waited over 400 years from the prophecy of Jesus until His actual arrival. During times of frustration and busyness, there are bound to be interruptions and bristly people to love. We are called to be the light and be patient with others. Choose kindness and generosity towards others; be gentle, and go out of your way to serve another. And in doing so, you will grow!