Proverbs 16:32 “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”
We live in a generation of instant satisfaction. I want this, I want that, and I want it now! Do we have patience anymore? We find waiting, making time, or going out of our way for others such an inconvenience. Do we really suffer that much from taking an hour out of your day to wait for a friend or meet up for coffee? Actions sports, epically snowboarding, can be very selfish. We want to get that sick powder run to hit that cliff before anyone else. As Christ followers, aren’t we called to love thy neighbor more than thyself? The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Why aren’t we putting others first by having patience and self-control?
I know it can suck to wait 5 to 10 minutes to meet a stranger or go way out of your way to meet up with someone. But what if it changed not only their life, but others’? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen Jesus do amazing things through incredible people making the extra effort to meet up with someone they don’t know.
During my time in SFC Australia, this guy kept saying, “You gotta meet my son. You gotta meet my son.” One Saturday, I tried to link up with his son and his buddy by the terrain park, but we kept missing each other. They had a five hour drive back home the next day, so they were going to peace out. Somehow I convinced him to just take one more lap with the SFC crew if we waited for them. Making the extra effort and waiting the five minutes paid off. They saw the SFC sticker on my board and the rest was history. They not only did they have the best day shredding the spring Perisher park, but they stayed all day and made it to the on-hill service. Everyone was beyond stoked. That seed and spark of Jesus was ignited in their heart that day. Not only did it change their lives from that day on, but a few months later, one of the shredder’s brother was saved. We simply needed to take five minutes out of our day to wait for a stranger at the top of the snowboard park.
Challenge
Are you taking advantage of the opportunities to reach out to someone new?
What can you do to go out of your way for someone else?
Go the extra effort to make a new friend.
Spend some time to pray for a patient and sacrificial mind.
By Taylor Brant | Denver, Colorado