Introduction: Growing Older… and (Hopefully) Wiser
One of the unexpected joys of growing older is occasionally realizing that God has been quietly changing you.
Not all at once.
Not dramatically.
Almost so gradually that you don’t notice it happening.
Until one day you realize you’re responding differently than you would have years ago.
I had one of those moments recently.
As I’ve shared in previous posts, my retirement has involved spending a great deal of time working on projects around our new home in Wyoming. Those projects have also given me something I never anticipated: many hours with my almost-four-year-old grandson.
He’s become my little coworker.
He asks a thousand questions.
He wants to help with everything.
Sometimes he actually helps.
Sometimes… he mostly slows me down.
And you know what?
I love every minute of it.
That surprised me.
Not because there’s anything wrong with him.
But because years ago, when my own children were little, I suspect I would have become impatient with their “help”.
Back then, I was usually trying to accomplish something. Get things done. Lots of things.
Now…
I’m trying to enjoy someone.
Somewhere along the way, I think God has made me a little more patient.
Please don’t misunderstand me.
I still have plenty of room to grow.
But I do think I’ve come a long way from where I once was.
And that realization led me to another thought.
If I’ve Grown More Patient…
…how patient must God be?
After all, He isn’t merely older than I am.
He is eternal.
The Ancient of Days.
The One who has never been in a hurry because He has never been constrained by time.
Scripture repeatedly describes Him this way:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Slow to anger.
Patient.
Not because He ignores sin.
But because His love is greater than His desire to punish.
Patient Even with His Enemies
Perhaps the greatest display of God’s patience is found in the cross.
In his letter to the church in Rome (and to all of us), Paul the Apostle writes:
Think about that.
God didn’t wait until we got our act together.
He didn’t wait until we deserved forgiveness.
He didn’t even wait until we stopped opposing Him.
Paul goes on to say:
For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son…
Enemies.
Not merely indifferent.
Not confused.
Enemies.
And yet God responded…
not with revenge…
but with rescue.
That is patience beyond anything I can comprehend.
And He’s Still Patient
Sometimes I imagine God looking down at me after I’ve said something I shouldn’t have.
Thought something I shouldn’t have.
Or responded in a way that doesn’t reflect Jesus very well.
In my mind, I picture Him sighing.
“Come on, Dave… you can do better than that.”
Maybe you’ve imagined something similar.
But then I remember the gospel.
Romans 8:1 reminds us:
Notice what Paul doesn’t say.
He doesn’t say God ignores our sin.
He says we are no longer condemned because Jesus has already borne that condemnation.
So instead of pushing me away…
God picks me up.
Dusts me off.
Reminds me whose I am.
And gently calls me to keep becoming more like His Son.
I can’t help but think of Jesus’ words to the woman caught in adultery:
“Then neither do I condemn you… Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Grace first.
Transformation second.
That’s God’s way.
Becoming Like Our Father
The more I think about God’s patience with me…
the more I want that same patience to overflow into my relationships with others.
Especially the people closest to me.
Children.
Grandchildren.
Friends.
Neighbors. Even the annoying ones.
Strangers.
Perhaps spiritual maturity isn’t measured merely by how much Scripture we’ve memorized.
Or how much theology we know.
Perhaps one evidence of becoming more like Jesus is simply becoming more patient.
After all, patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit.
Not the fruits of trying harder.
The fruits of the Spirit.
As His Spirit changes us…
our patience grows.
A Final Encouragement
Looking back, I’m grateful that God has slowly been teaching me patience.
Not because I’ve mastered it.
Far from it.
But because every small step reminds me of Someone whose patience is infinitely greater than mine.
A God who loved me while I opposed Him.
A God who still loves me when I stumble.
A God who refuses to give up on me.
If that’s how patient He is with me…
perhaps I can be a little more patient with others.
Especially the little coworker wearing work gloves who keeps asking,
“Grandalf… can I help?”
Perhaps the reason I can enjoy his “help” more today isn’t because he’s gotten better about actually helping. It’s because God has been changing me.
A Question to Sit With
Who in my life has been testing my patience lately…
and how might remembering God’s extraordinary patience with me change the way I respond?
Master's Canvas - Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter 