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The Impatience of God by Phil

When we think about the attributes of God, I'm guessing impatience doesn't make the list. Sure, God is loving, kind, forgiving... but impatient? I know what you're thinking, "Phil, you've done gone off the rails this time!" Yes, Peter does say, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9, but there is at least one example in the Bible where God's patience runs out - and it is awesome!

You are probably familiar with the story of Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10, but just to refresh your memory, here is a quick recap - Cornelius and his family were gentiles who loved the Lord. God wanted Peter to pay them a personal visit, but first God had to confront Peter's prejudice against non-Jews by giving him a vision of a sheet filled with unclean foods. Peter learned not to call unclean what God made clean (I'm thinking it was the barbecued ribs that did the trick) and Peter set off to preach to the "unclean" gentile Cornelius and his family.

Peter had his sermon all prepared and probably planned to wrap it up with some laying on of hands to impart the Holy Spirit as he did with the Samaritan believers earlier in Acts 8. But now we come to my favorite part -

"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God." - Acts 10:44-46

I'm not saying Peter and the early church preachers were long-winded, but we do find later in Acts 20, "Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead." - Acts 20:9. Perhaps Peter was going on a bit long in Cornelius's house as well, but this time it was the Holy Spirit who interrupted Peter's sermon. God was so eager to embrace these believers with His Holy Spirit, He couldn't even wait for the altar call! That reminds me of Jesus' parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15. “But while he was still a long way off, his father (representing God) saw him (us straying sinners) and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." - Luke 15:20

Friends, I don't think we can grasp how much God loves us. We'll soon be celebrating Good Friday and Easter, the ultimate expression of God's love. We often picture a "suffering love," God loving us so much He was willing to suffer the agony of the cross. But how often do we envision an "excited love" - God loving us so much He can't wait to show us? Sort of like a giddy child on Christmas morning, God's love for us is bubbling over.

If you are walking close to God, this is just another reason to marvel at His unfathomable greatness. If you've been walking away from Him on your own journey, now would be a great time to turn around and head back. But be prepared, He'll come running with arms outstretched to lavish His love on you.

Come on home, God is impatiently waiting for you.
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Truly loved,
Phil and Pam

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