But when He who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. (Galatians 1:15-17 ESV)
Patience
Have you ever asked God to develop patience in your heart, and found yourself demanding that patience right NOW? Paul did not act like that.
Even after God had amazingly converted Paul, had told Paul mouth to ear that Paul was going to preach about Jesus, had brought fulfillment of all of Paul’s previous life in Paul’s new calling, new job, and new position… Paul was patient.
It reminds us of David, waiting years after Samuel anointed David as King before accepting the throne. It reminds us of Jeremiah, preaching and preaching and preaching with no results, but still preaching. It reminds us of Simeon and Anna, knowing that the Messiah was due to be born, but having to wait for so very long.
They had patience.
Patience is a fruit of the Spirit, meaning that we receive it because God offers it to us and gives it to us.
We can be like Anna, and Simeon, and Jeremiah, and David, and Paul.
Because we know God, we can hear God’s promises and be patient.
We are peculiar, we do not really need it now.