“Love, Patience, and Time”

Scripture:

1) "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." - 1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV

2) "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." -James 1:4

3) "There is a time for everything …" - Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV


Back in 2008, Eric Benet released, in my opinion, one of his best CDs ever entitled "Love and Life". This twelve track CD has an old school flavor, along with true R&B, and lyrics to make your bedroom experiences wonderful and your perspective on your relationships change. The introductory song to Benet's CD is where I received today's topic: Love, Patience, and Time. Within this song, Benet talks about how people have grown through these three aspects of life. Within our respective lives as men and women of God, these three things are critical within our growth and the way we live our lives. Today's scriptures will deal more with each one of these words and clarify its importance to you and I as we continue to live our lives.

Today's scriptures are found in 1 Corinthians, James, and Ecclesiastes. 1 Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul, James was written by James, the brother of Jesus Christ, and Ecclesiastes was written by the wisest king of all-time, King Solomon. These three books, along with its writers, teaches one so many of life's lessons if we just take time to read what God said through them. Within the thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians, it is deemed "The Love Chapter", which discusses love and what it means. Within the first chapter of James, he discusses trials, temptations, listening, and doing. Within the themes of trials and temptations, he provides today's scripture on the importance of patience. Within the third chapter of Ecclesiastes, Solomon announces to you and I the importance of time.

Paul begins our scriptural discussion by telling us a little bit about love. He shares with us that "love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud". What a mouthful to say when it comes to this thing we call love. In relationships and marriages alike, it's important to experience love. As you experience love, you will learn that there are times where love forces you to be patient. Love forces you to be kind. If truth were told, many of you, myself inclusive, have had situations where love had to be exercised because of something wrong a person did to you. God gave you enough love not to go off the deep end. Love will teach you when to talk and when to listen. Love is something you do not have to air out publicly because when true love is in you, others can tell and see it for themselves. When you see love in action, do not be envious of it. If you are married and your spouse isn't crossing every t and dotting every I, exercise the patience in love and keep believing God that he/she will cross those t's, dot those I's, and love you the way you want to be loved.

James continues on with telling us about patience. As Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 13, love is patient. When you have love, you have the ability to "let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing". I can recall instances during my marriage where my wife wanted God to birth certain attributes out of me and vice versa. Through our consistent love and patience for one another, patience had her perfect work and birthed out the attributes she desired from me and the attributes I desired from her. God has been so patient with us. He was patient when we couldn't make up our minds who we would serve, Him or the enemy. He has been patient when it came for us to either give Him His 10% or see us spend it on other things. He has been patient when it came to us giving other parts of our lives more time than Him. If God can be patient with us, why can't we be patient with our fellowman?

Solomon concludes our scriptural discussion on today, telling us about time. He simply says, "There is a time for everything". Brothers and sisters, God has appointed times for appointed situations and things we are to do and that will come in our lives. There is a time to mourn. There is a time to be happy. There is a time to dance. There is a time to tear things down. There is a time to build things up. There is a time to keep it real with your spouse or mate. There is a time where you apologize when you are wrong and in turn, where others must apologize when they are wrong. Do not take time for granted because just as soon as it comes, it is gone. Make your times and opportunities count! Husbands, allow your wives to understand how much you love them! Wives, allow your husbands to understand how much they mean to you! Parents, allow your children to know how much they mean to you and how much you love them. Children, take time to let your parents know how much you love them! Ladies and gentlemen, allow your family and friends know how much they mean to you before time runs out.

In closing, Benet blessed me through the song. On today, I hope that this discussion on love, patience, and time has blessed you. God has exercised love, patience, and has given us time to become His own and continually work on being the best. Make your marriages work through love, patience, and time. Make your relationships work through love, patience and time. Make your friendships work through love, patience and time. Most importantly, continue to grow in God's love, allow patience to make you perfect, and remember there's a time and a season for everything!