Showing Patience

November 8, 2020

Bible Readings

Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.

Ephesians 4:1-6

Memory Verse

Ephesians 4:2

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (NIV)

written by Ron VandenBurg
illustrated by Chad Thompson

We see the characters in a line. Along the downtown cityscape’s sidewalk, everyone’s got jackets on and it’s cold outside for a Fall-November day. Some leaves are blowing in the wind. Casey, Milo, and Casey’s dad are in a long line outside a gaming store. There’s a fire hydrant close by and just inside the frame is the back end of a parked car. We see an individual in front of them and behind them. They are close to the front of the line. Behind them is the store window where there’s a big sign on the store window with bold letters saying,”New Release. X-Monsters. Today”
Through the window, we might see sketches and shadows of figures inside the busy store buying games.

Milo and Casey are frustrated. Dad stands right behind them. Casey says, “This line has been so long!” Milo says, “Yeah, It hasn’t moved in ages. It’s taking forever!”

Now we see them full body shot directly in front. With his eyes closed and finger raised to make a point, Dad philosophically says, “ You know Milo, they say patience is a skill that can be acquired.”

Milo says jokingly, “Okay, sure, but how can I learn patience faster?!?!” (Casey is laughing)

Dad tells this dad joke and laughs, “I guess... you’ll just have to wait for it.” Milo's palm slaps his forehead and smiles, “Ugh.”. Casey rolls her eyes and smiles, saying, “*Sigh*. Dad Joke.”

Print Comic

When Karissa’s family took a vacation to visit cousins, they had to drive for a few days to reach their destination. It didn’t take long for Karissa to start asking her parents the repeated questions they dreaded hearing, “What time is it? Are we there yet?” Even though she could see the clock in their car and knew that it would take them a few days to get to where they were going, Karissa just couldn’t wait. Whether she was bored or just excited to get there, patiently riding along didn’t feel like something she wanted to do at that moment.

In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul tells his friends to be humble, gentle, and patient while bearing with one another. He was teaching them how to act with each other—how to get along, show love, and live together as fellow followers of Christ. When we love other people, those are the things we want to do for them. We want to be patient with them, not get angry too quickly, and understand who they are and what they are trying to say. Because in the end that is what God does for us every day.

Being patient means being able to wait for something to happen, especially something we really want. Like Karissa on her family's car trip, she really wanted to get to where they were going so that she could see her cousins. For her, being patient meant being able to wait to arrive. Being patient might also mean putting up with someone who isn’t doing exactly what they're supposed to be doing. Karissa’s parents had to be patient with their daughter and her repeated question, “Are we there yet?” Being patient was their way of showing love to her. Look for opportunities to be patient with other people and with yourself today.

Prayer

Lord, teach me to be patient and help me to show patience to my friends and family today. Amen.

Related Resources

Kids In Action Episode

Another Person's Shoes

Liz and Friends

Search and Rescue: Scooter's Adventure Part 2

Bible Story

The Story of Peter

Activity

Words of My Mouth

Activity

Gifts of Kindness Advent Calendar and Devotionals

Bret Lamsma

Bret Lamsma is the Director of Faith Formation at First Christian Reformed Church in Denver, Colorado. He has also served churches in California and Michigan. He has a passion for youth ministry and intergenerational ministry in the local church. When he isn’t working at church or writing he enjoys hanging out with his wife and 2 children, hiking, woodworking, and watching movies.