| The Every Day of Life |
Chapter 15 |
Page 5 |
We need the patience of Christ also in our mingling with others, in our business associations and contacts, in our social relations, and in all our dealings with our neighbors. Not all people are congenial to us in spirit and manner. Some want their own way.
Some are exacting and unreasonable. Some fail to treat us kindly. Possibly in some cases the fault may be ours, at least in part. Others may think of us as we do of them, that is hard to live peaceably with us. However this may be, the patience of Christ will teach us to bear sweetly and lovingly with even the most unreasonable people. He was patient with all, and we are to be like him. It is not for the gentle only that we are to show this grace; any one can be patient with loving and gentle people, but we are to be kind to the forward and the evil. If we are impatient with any one, however unworthy or undeserving, we fail to be true to the interests of our master, whom we are always to represent.
We need the patience of Christ in meeting the trials of life. We have but to remember how quietly he himself endured all wrongs all pain and suffering, to get a vision of a very beautiful idea of life set by him for our following. The lesson is hard to learn, but the lord can direct our hearts even into this sweetness of spirit. He can help us to be silent in the time of distress. He can turn our cry of pain into a song of submission and joy. He can give us this gentle peace, so that even in the wildest strife’s our heart shall be quiet.
We need the patience of Christ to prepare us for his service. The moment we enter the company of his disciples he gives us work to do for him. We are sent to find other souls, to bind up broken hearts, to comfort sorrow, to help lost ones home through the gloom. All this work is delicate and important, and we need for it the patience as well as the gentleness of Christ. It must be done lovingly, in faith, unhurriedly, under the Spirit’s guidance.
Page 5