Areas in Which to Grow

God has been showing me I need to be more patient and selfless. The two are very much related.

Areas in Which to Grow

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

(Romans 8:29)

Recently, I was interviewed by Dr. Troy Temple, the Dean of the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity & Liberty Theological Seminary at Liberty University. He asked me questions for about 30 minutes primarily regarding evangelism and ministry in general. He asked what I felt like God was showing me or what God was currently doing in my life. I told him the only way I know how to answer that question is simply to be upfront, transparent, and honest. My answer was and is today: God has been showing me I need to be more patient and selfless. The two are very much related.

When we are impatient, we feel that our purpose and agenda is all-important, and people need to speed up so we can do what we need to do! Sound familiar? That attitude is steeped in pride and selfishness. Being conformed into the image of Jesus our Lord is not an easy process. It takes time, and it is a sanctifying process that is not complete until we die and go to be with Jesus in heaven.

Another area in which God is working on me that is related to the one above is reacting correctly to circumstances and people who behave in a way that I do not like. Of course, as we live in this world, all of us are going to be faced with difficult things and people. But how we respond is the important thing. Will we react with patience (there is that word again), or will we react impatiently and harshly? Unfortunately, I still battle with this. One thing that I am having to work on is when people do or say things that are harmful. I think to myself that I would never say that or do that, and I get upset.

C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity writes about this very thing. He pointed out that how we respond to those hard situations—ones in which we are caught by surprise—how we respond is who we really are on the inside. Ouch. But I think he is right.

I also answered Dr. Temple's question with a positive response. I shared that I felt the Lord impress upon me recently that God has plans to use me for His glory.

How would you answer this question of what is God showing or impressing upon you? It could be something negative or positive, or like in my case, both. I am so grateful to God for how patient, kind, and loving He is to me. I need to show more patience, kindness, and love to everyone, no matter what.

Have a blessed weekend. Thanks for reading the devotions we write each week. If you know someone who might be blessed by reading these daily devotions, send them the link to my website where they can sign up in like 5 seconds. They can go to: dfea.com/devotions