I want patience now!

OSVALDO ARDILES was one of Argentina's best footballers in the 70s and 80s. He was quite skinny. In fact so much so that one day when they were training, MENOTTI said to him, 'Look, Ardiles, put a top on or something and cover yourself up. Folk will think you're a pushover.' His bones almost stuck out! Nonetheless, he went on to play in the very physical English league and he showed he was no pushover. He was a very skilful, wise and patient player.

Patience is indeed an essential quality for living. Many companies have gone to the wall due to impatience; many students have failed exams due to wanting to get them out of the way, but at the same time not being disciplined in their study habits; many friends have gone their separate ways because one or the other's patience wore thin. You get the idea: being impatient means that someone misses out.

The Bible speaks of patience as one of the fruits of the Spirit. The logical conclusion to draw is that if God is in our lives we ought to be patient. Is that right? Well, yes and no. It's OK in theory but most of us will have to recognise that patience is not one of our strong points. We're not like those in Revelation 13 and 14 who were commended for their patience.

God lets certain things happen to us so as to cultivate patience in us. There might be those who treat us badly, there could be unforeseen circumstances that make our plans go pear-shaped, or it could be that something doesn't arrive when it should... and straightaway we are pulling at the reins to get the thing sorted out. How hard it is to follow the Psalmist's example: 'You will answer, Lord...' Be sure you understand that God will even delay answering our prayers for us to learn to be patient.

Praise the Lord that he is more patient than anybody! If he weren't, he would have given up on us ages ago. We are fully capable of arranging and messing up our world in a few seconds rather than handing things over to the Lord. Remember that people can know something of God's patience when it is reflected in us, his sons and daughters. Now I don't know what it is you're going through right now; but if it means you're becoming more patient, praise the Lord!