Love Is Patient

Does the world lack love if the world has no patience? I think you can say so.

People are in a hurry. They do not want to wait on each other. They push toward the front because they are afraid of either being left behind or not getting what everyone else is getting. They rush to work because they left so late. They rush home because they want the freedom of their own homes. They are exasperated with their spouses because understanding takes time. Their lack of patience can drain the love out of a relationship.  You must admit there doesn't seem to be much love between drivers to and from work. 

Isn't it funny that the people who write so many love songs know so little about it. Most of these songs think of love as a mere emotion. They hardly realize that love is a decision. Sometimes they come together in a tragedy and write a song that comes close to understanding but generally they think that love is something that erupts within you. You either have it or you don't.

One of the evidences of love is patience. That's how people stay married for fifty years. They are extremely patient with each other. Yes, sometimes exasperated but ultimately patient. Yes, nagging each other but still patient. 

I never ask a couple who are getting married if they love each other. I ask them if they are committed to each other. I don't think they know what I am asking. I want to know if they will make the decision to love each other when that isn't what they really don't want to do. I want to know if they will be patient with each other when every bone in their bodies wants to leave, get on with what needs to be done or be understood by the other person. 

This love is more than a feeling. This love is a decision. This love takes more than we have within us to accomplish. This is divine love. This is the love that God has for us. He is patient with us. Extremely so. He has made the decision to love His creation. He has made the decision to love each of us. That takes divine patience.

Love the persons around you by showing and being patient with them. 

Love is patient.

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NASB)

Love is patient.