By Waylon Bailey
We all know the need for patience.
When I think of the fruit of the Spirit, I am drawn to the quality of patience. I am drawn there because I often feel so inadequate with patience. You may feel the same. Frustration and aggravation sometimes seem to take over.
But, it may not be patience that I need. What I really need is perseverance. This is the meaning of the word we normally translate as patience.
I need to persevere. I need to be long-suffering. I need to not quit and not give up. I need to stand strong under the pressure.
Perseverance and long-suffering is exactly what I perceive that we all need right now. We need it in our lives, and we need it as the church.
We have all worked hard to keep going since March 13, but we may be getting weary in well-doing.
It’s natural for us to get weary. After all, if that were not the case, Paul would not have written to encourage us to keep working and serving.
I want to encourage you to keep on. Don’t give up on yourself and don’t give up on Christ and His church. Be found faithful and obedient.
These are tough days, but our God is faithful. He will see us through until we hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Waylon Bailey is pastor of First Baptist Church in Covington. This editorial first appeared on Bailey’s blogsite.
