The Patient Swat Team

Today a swat team served a warrant down the street from my house. Ordinary police activity turned into a standoff, a scene straight from the news. At first I waited with bated breath, anticipating a dramatic scene, and was sucked into the excitement of it all. But soon I had waited long enough and wondered what was taking so long. I wanted the swat team to storm the house and end the standoff. I grew inpatient as I watched the officers wait patiently, employing other methods besides storming a house and risking violence. I stopped watching, I grew tired of waiting, and went about my life. Then I realized we often do this to God: we grow weary waiting, we desire Him to handle the "bad guy" now, and forget about the big picture. God, like the police officer, is patient because He doesn't want anyone left. God allows all of us time to repent and to return to Him because every life is valuable to Him, and not just those obeying the Law. We get so caught up in what needs to be done that we forget about the lives affected, we forget the bigger picture of love and forgiveness. 

Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15: Proverbs of Solomon (Cont.).

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. A hot tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. The heart of the righteous weighs its answers. Wisdom's instruction is to fear the Lord and humility comes before honor.

God wants us to speak gently and give thoughts to our answers. Anyone who has worked with children knows the effect a harsh word has on the spirit. Our words should bring healing and happiness. God wants us to be patient and to calm quarrels. Our lives should be symbols of peace not conflict. God wants us to plan with the help of advisers. Rushing into plans leads to failure: think and then act. Don't let success make you forget your humility.