Hope Without Limits

Well, does it?  That could be a good thing.  Seriously.

Here in America “seeing red” is another expression for being angry or bad tempered.

How can that be a good thing – because it is actually a red flag that your patience is something you are trying to manufacture rather than putting on the gift of patience that our Heavenly Father gives us in Christ.

This was an eye opener for me.  Don’t know about you.

As the apostle Paul writes:

But hope does not involve what we already have or see.
For who goes around hoping for what he already has?
But if we wait expectantly for things we have never seen,
then we hope with true perseverance and eager anticipation.
Romans 8:24-25 – The Voice

Does that not sound like a set-up for a situation that would require patience?  But, isn’t it possible if you are hoping for something you may also be a tad bit worn out and frazzled, finding patience hard to come by?  I know in my journey as I wait for my complete healing from Fibromyalgia, that is often times the case.  Not to mention waiting for answers to prayers for the ones that I love.

So yesterday morning I go for my morning walk, and this little guy below is waiting for me in the field in front of our subdivision.  Rather unusual in a town of 90,000 people.

My “red flag” in the form of a red fox.

What’s even more unusual is this is not the first time I have seen him.  He has also been waiting in my yard several evenings the past few weeks when I pull in my drive way.  He sits nestled into a mulch pile starring at me as if I’m interrupting his rest.

OK, Father – I know You are trying to tell me something.  What is it about this little red fox that keeps “popping up” in my life that I need to know?

My answer arrived later in the morning when I opened up BibleGateway and this was the verse for the day.

Clothe yourselves therefore
as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives),
[who are] purified and holy and well-beloved
[by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by]
tenderhearted pity and mercy,
kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways,
[and] patience
[which is tireless and long-suffering,
and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].
Colossians 3:12 – Amplified

Where do we get such “clothes” to put on?

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
    my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
    he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10 – NRSV

Do you see it?

Everything in Colossians 3:12 and Isaiah 61:10 is what we receive by what Christ has done for us.  We are new creatures that are both human and God dwelling in one being. Before Christ – there never were such creatures.  (2 Cor. 5:17).  It’s not something we do or manufacture, it is who God has made us in Christ, clothed with all that He is.

Back to my original question – does patience make you see red?  If so, take heed of that “red flag”, or maybe as in my case a red fox 🙂 , that if your patience does not come with good temper it is self-made not God provided.

Let yourself off the hook for trying to create in your own life what God has already provided for you by forgiving yourself.  Joyfully come into agreement with our Heavenly Father that in and of ourselves we do not have the power to endure whatever comes with good temper.  Be thankful He is not asking us to manufacture such patience of our own accord.

Invite Him to wrap You in his garments of salvation and robe of righteousness that includes all that His name tells us He is  … Merciful, Gracious, Slow to Anger and Abounding in Loving Kindness and Truth (Exodus 34:6).

Sounds a lot like Colossians 3:12 doesn’t it?  Not surprising.  He made us in His image. (Gen 1:26)

The next time patience makes you see red just stop and say “Thank You Lord for revealing me to me.  I surrender trying to manufacture patience.  Be the patience in me that is Your gift to me and part of Your plan and purpose to make me more fully into the image of Your Son and my brother, Jesus.”  (Romans 8:29).