Patience (Herbert the Snail)

There are some Christian virtues that get high profile. We all want love, joy and peace. We think we need them; we pray for them for ourselves and each other. But patience…?

When our children were young, we encountered Herbert the Snail. It seems to me this isn’t a children’s song: it’s for everybody!

Last Sunday was Easter Sunday. Easter is exciting. Spring is about new life, new growth, new opportunities; the Easter story is about activity, moving forward in an exciting new direction.

It’s also about patience – about Jesus’ patience with Peter, about Thomas’ patience in working through his doubt honestly, about bereaved friends coming to terms with a new reality and a new way of life – patiently.

If I were to preach my good Baptist four-point alliterated sermon on patience (which I’m not!) it could be:

The Desire for Patience: Many people don’t want to be patient. They think it’s weak, lacks courage, leads to missed opportunities. The desire for patience must be genuine!

The Decision for Patience: Patience isn’t inactivity. It’s an intentional choice I make to wait, not a second-best alternative, brought about by situations outside my control.

The Demonstration of Patience: Like every virtue it’s not a state of mind or a hidden feeling. It’s part of the character, not a response to a situation. It’s lived out publicly, consistently, on the road, in the supermarket, at home…

The Direction of Patience: Patience comes from God. He gives us the example, motivation and the strength to be patient. From God patience flows through us to those around us, for the benefit of all.

In seeking to be patient I want to be like Jesus… and Herbert.